In a comprehensive overhaul, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of Nigeria took decisive action on Monday by removing the country's security chiefs and the head of police from their positions.

The defence chief, as well as the heads of the army, navy, and air force, were retired from their roles, making way for the appointment of new officers to assume these important positions.

An official statement said Mr Tinubu had "approved the immediate retirement of all service chiefs and the inspector-general of police, advisers, comptroller-general of customs from service … with immediate effect".

In addition, Mr. Tinubu has taken the decision to dissolve the boards of all federal government institutions, although certain bodies such as the judicial council, electoral body, and police service commission have been exempted from this action.

These security changes come after Mr. Tinubu's meeting with the security chiefs two weeks ago, during which he directed them to collaborate in addressing the various challenges posed by terrorism, insurgency, banditry, oil theft, and piracy.

Nigeria has been grappling with an alarming surge in attacks attributed to jihadist groups and other criminal organizations, particularly bandits who primarily engage in kidnapping for ransom.

During the previous administration, there were persistent demands from civil society groups for the replacement of the security chiefs due to their perceived inability to effectively address the situation.