Presidency explains reason CDS Musa, other security chiefs were sacked

The Presidency has explained that the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, General Christopher Musa, and other security chiefs was due to a routine procedure aimed at strengthening security across the country.

A presidential spokesperson, Sunday Dare, made this known in an exclusive interview with DAILY POST on Friday.

His clarification followed President Tinubu’s announcement earlier in the day of the removal of the CDS and other service chiefs.

General Musa was replaced by Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff.

Other changes in the country’s security hierarchy include the appointment of Major General W. Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshall S.K. Aneke as the new Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as the new Chief of Naval Staff.

However, Major General E.A.P. Undiendeye remains in his position as the Chief of Defence Intelligence.

Commenting on the development, Dare told DAILY POST that President Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, has the authority to make such changes at any time.

“This is routine, meant to boost security across the nation. The Commander-in-Chief can at any time make these changes to both ministerial and service chiefs. In the same way, commanding officers of mechanised divisions can be moved or removed,” he told DAILY POST.

The shake-up in Nigeria’s security leadership comes amid rumours of a possible military coup in the country.

However, the Presidency and the Nigerian Army have both dismissed the coup rumours as false.