By: Sunday Ameh
Human rights activist and Publisher of Sahara reporters, Omoyele Sowore, has lambasted President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over his decision to retain the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, describing the move as evidence that Tinubu is “not serious about tackling insecurity in Nigeria.”
Sowore, speaking from the Kuje Correctional Facility, where he was remanded on Friday following his arrest by the police, said the president’s latest changes to the heads of the armed forces amounted to mere “window dressing” since the “illegal and incompetent” IGP remains in office.
“As long as Tinubu continues to protect the illegal Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, he’s not sincere about Nigeria’s security situation,” Sowore told SaharaReporters.
“Any serious president would have fired this spent force before touching the service chiefs,” he added.
Sowore’s comments came hours after the police reportedly colluded with a magistrate to have him detained, despite being granted bail earlier in the day.
Sahara Reporters earlier reported that President Tinubu announced a shake-up in the military hierarchy, appointing General Olufemi Oluyede as the new Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa.
Under the new arrangement, Major-General W. Shaibu becomes the Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S.K. Aneke is now the Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas has been appointed Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
According to a statement issued on Friday by Sunday Dare, Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, the reshuffle was intended to strengthen the nation’s security architecture.
The statement read in part:
“The President expresses profound appreciation to the outgoing Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs for their patriotic service. He charges the newly appointed officers to justify the confidence reposed in them and enhance professionalism, vigilance, and comradeship within the armed forces.”
However, Sowore dismissed the statement as “empty rhetoric,” insisting that Nigeria’s security crisis will persist as long as those who “violate the law and brutalize citizens” are allowed to lead the police force.
Sowore was arrested earlier in the week alongside several others during a #FreeNnamdiKanuNow protest in Abuja. Despite being granted bail by the court, he was rearrested by the police and taken into custody — a move that has sparked widespread outrage from civil society groups and activists across the country.
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