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.
The Governor of Adamawa State, Ahmadu Fintiri, has approved a review of the existing restriction on the operations of commercial tricycles, known as Keke NAPEP, in parts of the state for the 2026 Ramadan period.
This was disclosed in a statement issued by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Humwashi Wonosikou, on Friday.
The statement said the restriction, which previously ran from 10pm to 5am would now commence an hour later.
“Under the revised directive, the restriction which previously ran from 10pm to 5am will now commence from 11p to 5am daily throughout the 2026 Ramadan period.
“The review takes immediate effect,” the statement read.
The government explained that the adjustment was introduced to ease movement for Muslim faithful during the holy month.
“The adjustment is intended to allow Muslim faithful attend late-night tafsir sessions with ease during the holy month,” it added.
The statement recalled that the Adamawa State Government had, in February 2021, imposed restrictions on the movement of tricycles and motorcycles through the Adamawa State Restriction of Movement of Tricycles/Motorcycles Executive Order No. 1 of 2021, as part of measures to strengthen public safety and security.
It noted that the latest review reflects the administration’s effort to balance religious observance with security considerations.
“The present review is therefore informed by the Government’s commitment to supporting religious observance, while maintaining the gains recorded in peace and security across the state,” the statement said.
Fintiri also directed security agencies to intensify patrols across the affected local government areas.
“Governor Fintiri has accordingly directed security agencies to intensify patrols, particularly within Yola North, Yola South and Girei, through the deployment of additional personnel to safeguard lives and property.
“He warned that any breach of the law will be dealt with decisively,” the statement added.
The governor further appealed to residents to act responsibly and avoid actions that could undermine the peace and stability currently enjoyed in the state.
The Department of State Services (DSS) will on February 25 arraign former Gov. Nasir El-Rufai of Kaduna State on alleged cybercrime and breach of national security
LIB had earlier reported that the DSS on Monday, February 16, filed a three-count criminal charge against El-Rufai following his alleged involvement in wiretapping the telephone lines of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu.
According to the court papers, El-Rufai was alleged to have, on Feb. 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, “admitted during the interview that he and his cohorts unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, Mr Ribadu.”
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 12(1) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
In count two, the ex-governor was alleged to have, on February 13, while appearing as a guest on Arise TV station’s Prime Time Programme in Abuja, stated during the interview that he knew and related with a certain individual who unlawfully intercepted the phone communications of the NSA, without reporting the said individual to relevant security agencies.
The offence is said to be contrary to and punishable under Section 27(b) of the Cybercrimes (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Amendment Act, 2024.
Count three alleged that El-Rufai and others still at large, sometime in 2026, in Abuja, did use technical equipment or systems which compromised public safety and national security and instilled reasonable apprehension of insecurity among Nigerians by unlawfully intercepting the NSA’s phone communications.
The DSS said the ex-governor by his own comment during the live interview committed an offence contrary to and punishable under Section 131(2) Nigerian Communications Act 2003.”
The Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Malam Shehu Mohammed, has praised the Nigerian Army and Nigeria Police Force for their swift and decisive response during the recent attack on the Benin Toll Gate Unit Command Office.
The attack occurred on Thursday at the RS5.12 Benin Toll Gate Unit on the Benin–Lagos Expressway, following a crash involving two trucks, the statement said.
One truck driver died in the accident, while FRSC personnel sustained critical injuries, with one officer later succumbing despite urgent medical attention.
“In the aftermath of the crash, an angry mob besieged and vandalised the Unit Command formation. However, the prompt response by security agencies helped to restore order and prevent further escalation,” Mohammed said in a statement issued on Friday by the FRSC spokesman, Olusegun Ogungbemide, in Abuja.
The Corps Marshal condemned the attack on FRSC personnel and facilities as “deeply regrettable and unacceptable,” emphasising that the operatives were on lawful duty to save lives.
He also commiserated with the families of the deceased driver, the fallen officer, and the entire FRSC workforce.
Mohammed has ordered a comprehensive investigation into both the immediate and underlying causes of the crash and the circumstances that led to the mob action.
He assured the public that anyone found culpable would be brought to justice.
The FRSC boss reaffirmed the Corps’ commitment to ensuring safer roads for all Nigerians and called on the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and supportive of its activities.
