President’s Security Team Gives Hope

By Efe Akpotohwo

At first glance, President Tinubu has scored a bull’s eye. His security team, announced the night before his trip to France, is considered one of the most diverse in recent times, breaking clear of his predecessor’s tendency. For one, a Southeasterner is at the table as Chief of Naval Staff. The others are Southwest Chief of Army Staff, and Northwest Chief of Air Staff and Chief of Defence Staff.

Given that there are only four possible service chiefs positions, the administration went a bit further in shaping the message by announcing the appointment of a south south general as Chief of Defence Information, a position not necessarily announced by the president. It was clear that Tinubu, who promised to unite the country in his inauguration speech, was determined to be seen as doing so. He formally moved up Mallam Nuhu Ribadu from his position as Special adviser on security to National Security Adviser, the first non-military person to hold the position. Ribadu is a retired Police Officer and comes from the Northeast. Given that the North Central has not been accommodated in the security appointments, there are speculations that it may get the Minister of Defence when ministers are nominated and cleared.

The appointment of Ribadu and of the Defence Chief, a Christian from Zango Kataf in southern Kaduna shows the President’s determination to think outside the box and make bold moves in his administration. The people of southern Kaduna have complained of being victimised and left behind, especially by the immediate past Kaduna State government. Communities have been mauled by killer herdsmen and are disenchanted. In the new Defence Chief, they may well feel comforted. However, it’s not a command position, and even if it were, it will not necessarily end the killings. The hope is that a more robust national crime-fighting plan will be unfolded by this diverse team of security chiefs.

Also in the bargain is Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector General of Police. He hails from the southwest. A new Comptroller General of Customs Adewale Adeniyi completes the security related appointments made. It is interesting that both Egbetokun and Adeniyi were ranking officers and their promotion does not disturb the system at both agencies. Two other positions are still awaited, those of the Director General of the State Security Service and the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

Below are the new men appointed to keep Nigeria and Nigerians safe:

National Security Adviser: Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.

Mallam Nuhu Ribadu came to national prominence as pioneer Chairman of the EFCC, appointed by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2002. Ribadu was born in Yola, Adamawa State, on 21 November, 1960. He holds degrees in law and was called to the bar in 1984, after which he did the national youth service and joined the police. He was an Assistant Commissioner of Police when he was appointed to head the EFCC. He was promoted to the position of Assistant Inspector General of Police in 2007 but replaced at the EFCC. In 2011 he joined the Action Congress party of Tinubu and ran for president. He lost as well other attempts to be Governor of his home state of Adamawa.

He is expected to bring his wealth of experience as a police intelligence officer and as one who has tracked financial crimes to the national counter terrorism effort, especially given allegations of massive financial flows to terrorists in Nigeria.

Chief of Defence Staff: Maj-Gen Christopher Musa

Maj-Gen Christopher Musa was born on December 25, 1967 in Sokoto. He is from Zangon Kataf in Kaduna State and was a member of the 38th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on September 21, 1991.

Musa received his Bachelor’s degree from Nigeria Defence Academy and holds a Master’s degree in Defence Studies from the National Defence University in Beijing, China.

General Musa has held many operational positions in the Army and Defence architecture. He was, among others, Theatre Commander, Joint Task Force (NE) Operation HADIN KAI, 2021, and Commandant, Nigerian Army Infantry Corps, Jaji, Kaduna in January 2023 till his appointment as CDS. He brings to the table years of experience on the warfront and in strategy, along with his background as a Christian northerner, with important opportunities for shaping the war on terror as a national effort.

Chief of Army Staff: Major-Gen Taoreed Abiodun T A Lagbaja

Major-Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968 in Ilobu, Osun, his home State. is a member of 39 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was commissioned in the rank of Second Lieutenant on September 19, 1992.

He has a Bsc Geography from NDA and an Msc Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division before his current appointment and has served as the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, previously.

His CV presents the new Army Chief as a total combat professional, having completed the Company Amphibious Operations Course, Young Officers’ Course (Infantry), Basic and Advanced Airborne Courses, Amphibious Staff Operations Course, Company Commanders’ Course, and Battalion Commanders’ Course at various times.

Chief of Air Staff: Air Vice Marshal Hassan Bala Abubakar

Air Vice Marshal Abubakar was born on September 11, 1970. He hails from Shanono Local Government Area in Kano State and enlisted into the NAF as a member of NDA Regular Course 39. He was commissioned a Pilot Officer on September 19, 1992.

He holds, among others, a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Nigerian Defence Academy Kaduna, and a master’s Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy from ABU Zaria. He also attended the National Defence Course at the Nasser Higher Military Academy, Cairo – Egypt.

Until his appointment as the 22nd Chief of the Air Staff, Abubakar was the Chief of Standards and Operations, HQ NAF. He has held sensitive appointments such as Presidential Air Fleet Commander, Air Logistics Commander and

Director of Operations, HQ NAF.

Chief of Naval Staff: Rear Adm Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ogalla

Rear Admiral Ogalla was born on December 20, 1968, in Enugu Ezike Igbo Eze North LGA of Enugu State. He attended the Nigerian Military School Zaria from where he obtained his WASC in June 1987 as the best graduating student in the sciences with distinction.

From there, he proceeded to the NDA as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He graduated with a BSc in Maths and was awarded the sword of honour as the best naval cadet in his course. He was commissioned Second Lt on Sep 16, 1992. He also holds an MSc Strategic Studies from University of Ibadan.

The new Naval Chief has had operational experience as part of the ECOMOG Operations in Liberia in 1996 and in the Niger Delta, where he was responsible for coordinating operations against illegal bunkering operations. During the period there was a remarkable reduction in illegal activities in the maritime area within the base area of operations.

As a Southeasterner, he brings diversity and inclusivity to the conversations around Nigeria’s security architecture.