By HAN News Desk
ABUJA – Nigerian President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has dismissed several of the country’s top military commanders, days after the Ministry of Defence denied reports of an alleged coup plot within the armed forces.
In a statement issued from the presidential palace, President Tinubu announced the removal of the Chief of Defence Staff, along with the heads of the Army, Navy, and Air Force, appointing new commanders to replace them. Several senior officers commanding key units were also relieved of their duties as part of what officials described as a routine reshuffle aimed at strengthening the military’s effectiveness.
The move comes amid growing speculation about internal tensions within the Nigerian military, following social media reports suggesting that a group of officers was plotting to overthrow the government — claims that the Defence Ministry swiftly dismissed as false and dangerous.
Nigeria, Africa’s most populous nation, has a long history of military involvement in politics, with a series of coups taking place between 1966 and 1999 before the country transitioned to democratic rule. Recent coups in several West African nations — including Niger, Mali, and Burkina Faso — have heightened fears of political instability spreading across the region.
President Tinubu, who came to power in May 2023, has emphasized his administration’s commitment to democratic governance and civilian oversight of the armed forces. He urged the newly appointed military chiefs to remain loyal to the constitution and focus on combating insecurity, terrorism, and banditry across the country.
