A security intelligence and investigation expert, Dr. Yahuza Getso, has said that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to relieve the former service chiefs of their duties will not bring an end to insecurity in Nigeria unless deeper structural problems are addressed.

In an exclusive interview on Sunday, Dr. Getso described the sack as normal and expected, explaining that such replacements happen in line with the rules guiding military appointments.

However, he stressed that the move alone will not solve the country’s security challenges.

“Well, sacking or relieving service chiefs is normal, it’s not something new. They are expected to serve for a minimum of two years, after which they can either be renewed or relieved,” he said.

“This change simply allows younger officers to grow and gives the old ones time to rest. It doesn’t mean anything special or tribalistic. The President has the right to do it at his own convenience. No one can really say the motive behind the president’s decision, but time will tell.”

Dr. Getso, however, warned that merely changing service chiefs cannot automatically improve security.

“It cannot have any impact. Changing the service chiefs is not the way forward. We know what the real problem is, and it is not about who occupies the position.”

He praised the outgoing service chiefs General Christopher Musa (Chief of Defence Staff), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja (Chief of Army Staff), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Chief of Naval Staff), and Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff) describing them as some of the most open and accessible officers Nigeria has had in recent years.

“As far as I’m concerned, they have done a marvellous and wonderful job,” Dr. Getso said.

“They deserve every Nigerian’s clap. They were open to listening to everyone, even journalists, and they never changed their phone numbers since their early days in service. They remained accessible and responsive.”

He noted that under their leadership, the Nigerian military made progress in various operational areas from fighting Boko Haram in the North East, to confronting banditry in the North West, IPOB in the South East, and criminal activities in the South-South and South West.

“They transformed military operations with more technological innovation. Though they may not have achieved 100 percent success, they tried their best within the environment they were given.”

Despite acknowledging their efforts, Dr. Getso argued that insecurity in Nigeria will persist unless corruption is genuinely tackled and government institutions particularly the judiciary, legislature, and executive are reformed to support accountability.

“The truth is, changing service chiefs won’t take us anywhere because what matters is not just the capacity or weapons,” Dr. Getso said.

“Do we have the political will? Do the service chiefs have an enabling environment? Are we really fighting corruption? Our judiciary is rotten, and many of our political office holders are not sincere or honest. Were they truly elected or merely anointed? Until we fix these problems and hold leaders accountable, we will continue deceiving ourselves and insecurity will never end.

“Count the new service chiefs as failures if corruption is not fought practically,” he warned.

“If there’s no enabling environment, if people are not held accountable, and if corruption continues within the hierarchy of security agencies and government institutions, then the new chiefs cannot succeed. They are not magicians.”

He further stated that insecurity in Nigeria is being deliberately sustained by some politicians for selfish gain.

“We are deceiving ourselves in Nigeria,” he said.

“Some people are benefiting from insecurity to achieve their political goals. Until we are sincere and ready to fight corruption and fix our rotten judiciary, insecurity will continue to widen.”

Getso outlined what he believes should be the way forward, emphasizing the need for sincerity, accountability, and a community-driven approach.

“The way forward is to hold people accountable, reach out to the criminals where they are, and fix our judicial system,” he explained.

“We must improve technological operations, enhance the welfare of security personnel, and engage youths in community-based monitoring and intelligence sharing.”

He added that the government must also focus on monitoring and performance-based assessments across security institutions while eliminating corruption from within.

“The way forward is not just about appointing new service chiefs. We must fight corruption sincerely and in practice, not on paper. Our judiciary must be fixed because it is already rotten. The government should modernize operational strategies through technology and improve the welfare of military and paramilitary personnel. We also need a community-driven approach that engages young people in intelligence gathering and strengthens communication between citizens and security agencies. Above all, there must be accountability, proper monitoring, and sincere coordination between the executive, legislature, and judiciary to create an environment where security agencies can truly succeed.

“Without sincerity from the leaders and citizens, and without a practical fight against corruption, we can’t move forward,” he concluded.

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A security consultant, Kabiru Adamu, has stressed the need to allow the new service chiefs to remain professional in the discharge of their new assignments.

Adamu stated this on Monday, while responding to questions in an interview on ‘The Morning Brief’, a programme on Channels Television monitored by DAILY POST.

His comment comes following the reshuffle of the service chiefs by president Bola Tinubu last week.

“In simple terms, allow them to remain professional and they should not get involved in the political activities that are ongoing.

“I’m not a kid and don’t want to pretend as if I don’t know that there is a political angle to the appointments,” he said.

Source: dailypost.ng

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The Association of Igbo Town Unions, ASITU, has taken its grievances to the international stage, petitioning the United Nations Human Rights Council, the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights, and the ECOWAS Court of Justice over what it described as the “systematic demolition” of properties belonging to Igbo traders and investors in Lagos State.

Addressing journalists in Umuahia, Abia State, the National President of ASITU, Chief Emeka Diwe, decried the continued targeting of Igbo-owned businesses and structures, alleging that the actions amounted to “economic cleansing.”

Diwe lamented that Nigeria was “gradually dying from the cancer of ethnic discrimination and selective justice,” accusing government institutions of failing to uphold fairness and equality.

Flanked by members of ASITU’s national executive council drawn from various Igbo communities, Diwe explained that the petition followed multiple unsuccessful attempts to engage with relevant Nigerian authorities.

“We have not lost faith in Nigerian institutions, but they have consistently failed to respond to our documented complaints. That is why we have turned to regional and international bodies for intervention,” he stated.

The ASITU president faulted the Lagos State Government’s justification that the affected buildings were constructed on waterways, describing it as a misleading claim designed to mask deeper biases.

“These properties were lawfully acquired and duly approved by relevant agencies. Such demolitions send a disturbing message to investors, that property rights in Nigeria are insecure and that ethnicity may determine how justice is applied,” Diwe asserted.

He argued that the destruction of legitimate businesses not only discourages investment but also threatens job creation, economic stability, and Nigeria’s international image as a country governed by the rule of law.

According to ASITU, most of the demolition notices were served just days before enforcement, denying property owners the opportunity to seek legal remedy.

The group also accused officials of disregarding valid approval documents submitted by affected traders.

“Many of these buildings had valid permits issued by the same Lagos State Government that later tore them down. This is not law enforcement. It is the deliberate erasure of livelihoods and a violation of constitutional guarantees of equality and justice,” Diwe said.

While urging those affected to remain calm and law-abiding, ASITU called on the Igbo business community to rechannel part of their wealth into the South-East to foster economic independence.

“To our brothers and sisters in business, do not lose hope. Let us embrace the philosophy of Aku Ruo Ulo, let wealth return home,” Diwe advised. “When we invest in our homeland, we create jobs, security, and dignity for our people.”

He clarified that the association’s call for justice was not an agitation for secession but a demand for fairness, mutual respect, and equitable treatment of all ethnic groups in Nigeria.

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