Nigeria's president appoints new military chiefs in major shake-up after arrest of alleged coup plotters

LAGOS, Nigeria

Nigerian President Bola Tinubu appointed new military chiefs on Friday in a major shake-up, weeks after 16 military officials were arrested on charges of plotting a coup, which also prompted authorities to cancel the country's Independence Day parade on October 1.

“The President appointed General Olufemi Oluyede to replace General Christopher Musa as the new Chief of Defence Staff. 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. Chief of Defence Intelligence Major-General E.A.P Undiendeye retains his position,” according to a statement issued by Sunday Dare, the president's special advisor on media and public communication.

He explained that the shuffle is part of the government's efforts to strengthen Nigeria's national security framework.

In the statement, the president asked the newly appointed service chiefs to justify the trust put in them to further strengthen the professionalism, vigilance, and camaraderie that define Nigeria's Armed Forces.

Tinubu's move comes weeks after reports surfaced of a foiled coup attempt, which resulted in the arrest of 16 senior military officers on October 4.

According to local media reports, the officers, who range in rank from captain to brigadier general, were detained on charges of plotting to overthrow the government. The coup plotters reportedly planned a bloody putsch against top government officials, including President Tinubu.

The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) uncovered the alleged plot and revealed that the officers planned to carry it out during the October 1 Independence Day parade. The government canceled the parade due to security concerns, citing the possibility of an attack.