The Senate of Federal Republic of Nigeria on Thursday confirmed the appointments of new Service Chiefs.
They are the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Major General Christopher Musa, the Chief of Army Staff Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,the Chief of Naval (CNS),Rear Admiral Emmanuel I. Ogalla, Chief of the Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar,
Senate also confirmed the appointments of IGP Kayode Egbetokun (Acting Inspector-General of Police), Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye as (Chief of Defense Intelligence).
They were confirmed by the Senate after the screening of the top brass by the upper chamber in a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Michael Bamidele Opeyemi on the provisions of Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004.
The visitors as they were earlier addressed before their confirmation were given two minutes each to introduce themselves before the Chamber dissolved into a Committee of the whole behind closed doors at 12. 42pm.
Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio shortly after the screening in a closed-door session from 12.42pm to 2.59pm said that the service chiefs have answered questions on defence-related matters and topical issues.
President Tinubu had in a letter read on the floor of the Senate requested that the red chamber confirm the service chiefs’ appointments.
The Senate, upon resumption of plenary on Thursday, started the screening of the service chiefs, with each of them mounting the podium to speak on how they will tackle insecurity in the country if confirmed.
Recall that in June 19, 2023, exactly three weeks after his inauguration, Tinubu removed all service chiefs in Nigeria and appointed new ones whom he directed to resume with immediate effect.
Those affected in the unprecedented shakeup include Alkali Usman who was removed as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Lucky Irabor, sacked as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, retired as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, removed as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, retired as Chief of Air Staff.
All the new appointees have since resumed in acting capacity before their confirmation by the National Assembly.