President Bola Tinubu has dismissed Nigeria's service chiefs, including Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and appointed new leaders amid swirling coup rumours. The changes include Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of Air Staff and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the 25th Chief of Naval Staff, with General Oluyede named as the new CDS. The opposition African Democratic Congress has urged the president to explain the abrupt move.
On October 24, 2025, President Bola Tinubu announced a major shake-up in Nigeria's military leadership, sacking General Christopher Musa as Chief of Defence Staff and other service chiefs. The appointments, described by the presidency as routine, come just a year after many of the dismissed officers were named to their posts. New appointees include Major General Oluyede as CDS, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as the 23rd Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as the 25th Chief of Naval Staff.
Air Vice Marshal Aneke, born on February 20, 1972, in Makurdi, Benue State, but hailing from Udi Local Government Area in Enugu State, was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force on September 10, 1993, as part of the 40th Regular Combatant Course at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He holds a BSc in Physics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Management, and two master's degrees in International Affairs and Diplomacy from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, and Political Economy and Development Studies from the University of Abuja. Aneke has over 4,359 flying hours and has served in key roles, including Air Officer Commanding Mobility Command in Yenagoa. His operational experience includes Operation Restore Hope in the Niger Delta and UN peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas, born on September 10, 1969, in Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, was also commissioned on September 10, 1993, with a BSc in Chemistry from the same NDA course. A specialist in Above Water Warfare, he has attended courses at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, and the National Defence College, Abuja. His appointments include Flag Officer Commanding Central Naval Command and Chief of Naval Safety and Standards. Abbas is married with two sons.
The move has sparked reactions amid coup rumours. The African Democratic Congress, through National Publicity Secretary Bolaji Abdullahi, called for transparency, noting the changes could affect military stability and that government responses to the rumours have been confusing. 'We are somewhat concerned that this change is coming in the wake of widespread rumours of an attempted coup,' the party stated. Former Senator Shehu Sani described the shake-up as necessary to combat insecurity, while the presidency insisted it was standard procedure.
