BREAKING: Alleged Coup — President Tinubu Sacks Service Chiefs, Appoints New Heads For Armed Forces
In what sources describe as a swift response to an alleged coup plot within the military hierarchy, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed Nigeria’s Service Chiefs and appointed new heads across the Armed Forces. The unprecedented shake-up, PulseNets learnt, follows weeks of intelligence alerts suggesting growing internal discontent among top military officers.
According to high-level government sources who spoke to PulseNets, the President’s decision was taken after “credible intelligence reports” hinted at coordination lapses and loyalty concerns within the nation’s defence structure.
General Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as the new Chief of Defence Staff, succeeding General Christopher Musa, who has been relieved of his duties. The development, PulseNets learnt, is part of a wider strategic overhaul within the armed forces aimed at improving operational efficiency and national security coordination.
Under the new changes, Major-General W. Shaibu assumes office as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke becomes the new Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas takes charge as Chief of Naval Staff.
Despite mounting public calls for his removal, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun retained his position. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, also remains in office, PulseNets reported.
According to a statement obtained by PulseNets on Friday, Sunday Dare, the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, confirmed that the appointments take immediate effect. Dare emphasised that the reshuffle was executed to “bolster the country’s defence capability and strengthen coordination across the military spectrum.”
President Tinubu, while acknowledging the outgoing service chiefs, conveyed appreciation for their years of commitment and sacrifice.
“The Commander-in-Chief expresses profound gratitude to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other departing Service Chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership,” the statement read.
“The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them by enhancing professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”
Sources close to the Presidency told PulseNets that the new appointments reflect Tinubu’s broader effort to align military leadership with his administration’s renewed focus on intelligence-led security management and inter-agency synergy.
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Analysts believe the restructuring signals a shift toward a more cohesive defence strategy—one that integrates modern counterterrorism measures, improved resource allocation, and leadership accountability at the top level of Nigeria’s armed forces.
