Tinubu Replaces Top Security Chiefs: New Directors-General for DSS, NIA, and Other Agencies

Tinubu Appoints New Intelligence Chiefs: Mohammed, Ajayi Take Helm at NIA, DSS.

In a significant shake-up of Nigeria’s security leadership, President Bola Tinubu has announced the appointment of new Directors-General for the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) and the Department of State Services (DSS).

Ambassador Mohammed Mohammed, a veteran foreign service officer, takes the reins at the NIA, while Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, a seasoned security expert, assumes leadership of the DSS.

According to presidential spokesperson Ajuri Ngelale, Ambassador Mohammed brings a wealth of experience to the NIA, having served in various roles since joining the agency in 1995, including stints in North Korea, Pakistan, Sudan, and at the State House in Abuja.

Mr. Ajayi, on the other hand, has risen through the ranks of the DSS, serving as State Director in several states, including Bauchi, Enugu, Bayelsa, Rivers, and Kogi.

The new appointments come on the heels of the resignation of the previous NIA and DSS chiefs and are seen as a strategic move by President Tinubu to reposition the agencies for better results.

The President has charged the new security chiefs to bring their expertise to bear in tackling Nigeria’s security challenges through enhanced collaboration with sister agencies and in alignment with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

Citing the need for “surgical alignment” with the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA), President Tinubu has tasked the new intelligence chiefs with streamlining operations and improving inter-agency collaboration to address Nigeria’s pressing security concerns.

The appointments have been hailed as a significant step towards reinvigorating Nigeria’s intelligence community, with many experts praising the choice of seasoned professionals like Mohammed and Ajayi to lead the NIA and DSS.

As the country grapples with a range of security challenges, from terrorism to banditry, the new intelligence chiefs will face immense pressure to deliver results restore public trust in Nigeria’s security agencies.

In a statement, President Tinubu thanked the outgoing Directors-General of the NIA and DSS for their service to the nation, wishing them success in their future endeavors.

The appointments take effect immediately, with Mohammed and Ajayi set to assume their new roles in the coming days