President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked federal security service chiefs.

The presidency ‘in an unexpected move on Tuesday, announced the appointment of their replacements.’

The President has accepted the retirement of the service chiefs, according to a statement from presidential aide Femi Adesina.

The former service chiefs are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The President thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs for their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country.”

The new Service Chiefs are Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral AZ Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.

The president congratulated and urged them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.