Weeks after alleged coup plot, Tinubu changes military chiefs
Barely weeks after alleged coup plot President Bola Tinubu has sacked Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa and appointed Olufemi Oluyede, former army chief, as his replacement.
Penpushing reports that it would be recalled that 16 senior soldiers were reported to have been arrested for allegedly planning a coup to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu, the military authorities yet to confirm nor deny the plot, but admitted that some senior officers are being investigated.
The presidential spokesperson Sunday Dare confirmed the changes in a statement adding that the President equally appointed General Waidi Shaibu as the new Chief of Army Staff while appointing new heads for the air force and the navy.
Penpushing further reports that the statement did not attribute the changes to the alleged coup plot as at the time of filing this report, however, the President retained Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye,as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
The President in same vein replaced Emmanuel Ogalla, the former Chief of Naval Staff, with Idi Abbas, a rear admiral. S.K. Aneke, an air vice marshal, was appointed to succeed Hassan Abubakar as Chief of Air Staff.
‘The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff,” the statement read. “The new Chief of Army Staff is Major-General W. Shaibu. Air Vice Marshall S. K. Aneke is Chief of Air Staff while Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff’, the statement said
Penpushing also reports that the statement added that the President thanked the sacked service chiefs for their patriotic service and dedicated leadership, and charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism
‘The President charges the newly appointed Service Chiefs to justify the confidence reposed in them to further enhance the professionalism, vigilance and comradeship that define the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement added, noting the new appointments take immediate effect.
Penpushing reports that the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Waidi Shaibu previously served as the Theatre Commander for Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), a joint task force, in the North-east and also served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division.
The new Chief of Army Staff is renowned for his leadership in the fight against insurgency, he oversaw major operational successes and community support initiatives in Borno State.
Penpushing further reports that during his tenure, he prioritised the refurbishment of military hardware, led deep clearance operations in insurgent strongholds such as the Sambisa Forest, and placed strong emphasis on training in areas like IED mitigation.
The new Chief of Army Staff worked closely with local communities and traditional leaders to foster cooperation in counter-insurgency efforts, and before his appointment, he served as Deputy Commandant at the National Defence College and later moved to the Defence Space Agency after handing over command in April 2025.
Penpushing also reports that on the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas he previously served as the Chief of Naval Safety and Standards, a role he assumed in June 2023 after serving as the Director of Operations at Naval Headquarters.
The new Chief of Naval Staff extensive naval career includes service aboard NNS AMBE, NNS ARADU, and NNS EKUN and participation in ECOMOG operations in Liberia in 1996, as well as Base Operations Officer of NNS PATHFINDER, and equally coordinated anti-illegal bunkering operations that significantly reduced maritime crime.
Penpushing reports that he is a member of the 26th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy, and was commissioned as a sub-lieutenant in 1983, and trained at the Amphibious Warfare School, US Marine Corps University, and holds an MSc in Strategic Studies from the University of Ibadan, which he obtained during his National Defence College Course 22.
The profile of the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke, born on February 20, 1972, equally has it that he was previously the Air Officer Commanding (AOC) of the Nigerian Air Force’s Mobility Command and also served as AOC Tactical Air Command, Makurdi.
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