The sad truth about changing service chiefs and insecurity in Nigeria – Getso

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According to Dr. Yahuza Getso, a security intelligence and investigative specialist, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s recent decision to remove the former service chiefs from their positions won’t alleviate Nigerian insecurity until more serious structural issues are resolved.

Dr. Getso said that such replacements take place in accordance with the regulations governing military appointments in an exclusive interview with ZINGTIE on Sunday, characterizing the dismissal as typical and expected.

He emphasized, though, that the action by itself won’t address the nation’s security issues.

“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.”

However, Dr. Getso cautioned that security cannot be improved by just switching service chiefs.

“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 said that the departing service chiefs, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar (Chief of Air Staff), Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla (Chief of Naval Staff), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja (Chief of Army Staff), and General Christopher Musa (Chief of Defense Staff), were among the most approachable and transparent leaders Nigeria has had in recent memory.

“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 pointed out that the Nigerian military has advanced under their guidance in a number of operational areas, including the battle against Boko Haram in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, IPOB in the Southeast, and criminal activity 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.”

Even while they acknowledged their efforts, Dr. Getso said that unless corruption is effectively addressed and government institutions—especially the judiciary, legislature, and executive branch—are changed to promote accountability, insecurity in Nigeria will continue.

“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 added that certain politicians are purposefully fostering insecurity in Nigeria for their own benefit.

“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 spoke out his vision for the future, stressing the importance of honesty, responsibility, and a community-based strategy.

“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.”

While eradicating corruption from within security organizations, he continued, the government must also prioritize performance-based evaluations and monitoring.

“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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