Stephen Ukandu, Umuahia
The marginalised South-East geo-political zone was again overlooked as President Bola Tinubu, Monday appointed Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed as the new Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency, NIA.
Mohammed replaced Ahmed Abubakar who resigned his appointment Saturday night, citing family and personal reasons for his resignation.
Tinubu also appointed Adeola Ajayi as the new Director-General of the Department of State Service.
The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ajuri Ngelale, made this known in a statement on Monday in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
According to the statement, the appointments follow the resignation of the previous heads of the two agencies.
“Mohammed, a seasoned foreign service officer, has had a distinguished career spanning over two decades, serving in various roles and countries, including North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and Libya,” the statement added.
Similarly, Ajayi, the new DSS chief, was said to have risen through the ranks, serving as State Director in several states, including Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi.
Ikengaonline checks revealed that Abubakar was first appointed DG of the NIA in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, who extended his stay in office in December 202.
Similarly, the ex DSS boss, Bichi was also appointed DSS DG in 2018 by Buhari.
Meanwhile, Tinubu has charged the new security chiefs to work in synergy with sister security agencies and to reposition their respective agencies.
The statement read: “President Tinubu has charged the new security chiefs to work together to reposition the agencies for better results, tackle security challenges, and enhance collaboration with sister agencies and the Office of the National Security Adviser.
“The President has also thanked the outgoing Directors-General for their service to the nation and wished them success in their future endeavours.”
South-East geo-political zone has virtually been excluded from the headship of Nigeria’s security agencies since 2015 when former President Buhari came to power.
Tinubu, however, selected the Chief of Naval Staff from the South-East, the first time anybody from the zone would be appointed service chief since the exit of Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika as the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, in 2014.
There are expectations that Tinubu might compensate the South-East with the Inspector General of Police position at the retirement of the current IGP in September.
