President Bola Tinubu on Thursday decorated the newly appointed service chiefs with their ranks at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
The ceremony, which started shortly after 2 p.m., was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the officers’ spouses, who joined the President in pinning the new insignias. The service chiefs appeared in full uniform alongside their families and top military officers.
Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff; Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff; and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.
The event came a day after the Senate confirmed the nominees following a two-hour closed-door screening session, where lawmakers quizzed them on strategies to tackle insecurity and improve coordination within the armed forces.
Tinubu had earlier appealed to the Senate for swift confirmation, emphasizing the need for continuity in national security leadership.
Thursday’s ceremony drew several dignitaries, including senior government officials, members of the National Assembly, and top officers from different military formations.
It also followed a major shake-up in the military hierarchy announced last week, aimed at “injecting fresh energy and direction into the nation’s defence architecture,” according to a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major General E. A. P. Undiendeye, retained his position.
Reacting to speculations linking the reshuffle to coup rumours, the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the changes were purely administrative. “The President acted within his powers as Commander-in-Chief. Service chiefs can be appointed or relieved at his discretion,” he said.
Earlier in the week, Tinubu met privately with the new service chiefs at the Villa, charging them to intensify efforts against insurgency and banditry, especially in the northern region.
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The recent military changes followed reports of alleged coup plots — claims which the Defence Headquarters later dismissed as false.
Brigadier-General Tukur Gusau, the Director of Defence Information, clarified that the reported arrests were related to “issues of indiscipline” within the ranks and urged the public to disregard the rumours, describing them as “mischievous attempts to stir unnecessary tension.”
