Copyright nigerianeye
Retired Major General Anthony Atolagbe, former commander of Operation Safe Haven, has praised President Bola Tinubu for his decisive overhaul of Nigeria’s military leadership amid escalating security challenges. On Friday, Tinubu sacked Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), appointing Olufemi Oluyede, the former Chief of Army Staff, as his replacement. Major General Waidi Shaibu was named the new Chief of Army Staff, alongside new appointments for the heads of the Navy and Air Force. Speaking on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Atolagbe, a former director of peacekeeping operations in the Nigerian Army, described Tinubu’s move as courageous and supportive of professional growth within the military. “This bold step ensures proper alignment with career progression procedures,” he said. “When officers overstay in roles, it hinders those coming up. The system will be excited by this development.”When questioned about whether political motives influenced retaining some senior officers, Atolagbe sidestepped, emphasizing that the appointments were merit-based and rooted in experience. “They are well-suited for their roles, ensuring continuity in ongoing operations,” he noted.Atolagbe highlighted that the new service chiefs, including the CDS (an infantry officer) and COAS (an armoured officer), bring firsthand experience from frontline operations. “Their familiarity with Nigeria’s security landscape strengthens our security framework,” he said. The reshuffle follows weeks of unconfirmed rumors of a coup plot, which military authorities have denied. Click to signup for FREE news updates, latest information and hottest gists everyday
