President Bola Tinubu’s recent dismissal of top service chiefs and appointment of new military leadership on October 24, 2025, comes amid swirling rumors of a foiled coup attempt within Nigeria’s armed forces. Reports surfaced in mid-October alleging that approximately 16 military officers, from rank of Captain to Brigadier-General, were detained by the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) for allegedly plotting to overthrow the government, with plans reportedly targeting the Independence Day parade slated for October 1.
While the Defence Headquarters officially denied the coup claims, describing the arrests as part of routine internal disciplinary processes and stating the parade cancellation was due to the President’s attendance at a strategic bilateral meeting abroad, skepticism remains in public and expert circles about the full truth. Some sources suggest the leadership shake-up was intended to quell dissent and reinforce loyalty within the military ranks amid ongoing security challenges.
The sacked service chiefs include Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar. Their replacements Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede as CDS, Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff—have been charged with restoring professionalism and enhancing operational effectiveness.
Security analysts view the reshuffle as both a routine military procedure and a strategic move to prevent potential unrest or coup plotting by disgruntled officers, especially given the persistent violence and insurgency affecting Nigeria’s northern regions. Despite official statements affirming the military’s commitment to constitutional order, the episode underscores underlying tensions and the delicate balance of civil-military relations in Nigeria’s democratic governance.
The President’s decisive actions reflect a determination to stabilize the military command structure, reaffirm loyalty, and bolster efforts against terrorism, insurgency, and banditry while addressing public perceptions following the rumors of internal military conspiracies.