By Goodluck Ikiebe
The Nigerian Senate has confirmed the nomination of the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Major General Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja; Rear Admiral Emmanuel I. Ogalla as Chief of Naval Staff (CNS); IGP Kayode Egbetokun ( Inspector-General of Police); Maj. Gen. EPA Undiandeye (Chief of Defense Intelligence) as Service Chiefs appointed by President Bola Tinubu.
Their confirmation followed the screening of the top security chiefs by the Senate 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 informed that the Service Chiefs 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.
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, as the Chief of Defence Staff; Faruk Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff; Awwal Gambo, as the Chief of Naval Staff; and Isiaka Amao, as Chief of Air Staff.
All the new appointees have since resumed in acting capacity before their confirmation by the National Assembly on Thursday.
