By The Respondent reporter
Abuja,
Nigeria – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Chief Security
Officer (CSO), Adeboyega Fasasi, has been removed from his position. The
decision, reportedly approved by the President, was executed by the Director
General of the State Security Service (SSS), Tosin Ajayi. Fasasi has been
replaced by Rasheed Atanda Lawal, a deputy director currently undergoing a National Institute for Security Studies fellowship course.
Fasasi's
removal is said to be part of the usual reshuffling that occurs when a new
Director General assumes leadership of the SSS. Sources indicate Lawal, who was
due for promotion to the rank of director in July 2023, was overlooked by the
former service management due to internal favoritism. His promotion, and
subsequent appointment as CSO, suggests a shift in the power dynamics within
the SSS under the new DG’s leadership.
Insiders
claim Fasasi’s ousting may also be linked to his alleged high-handedness and
strained relations with influential figures around the president, including
President Tinubu himself. It is a common practice for the SSS to install a CSO
that aligns with the DG's confidence, given the strategic importance of the
position.
Fasasi's
removal comes as Tinubu's administration faces several challenges. Nigeria is
grappling with an economic crisis exacerbated by soaring inflation and high
unemployment. Tinubu’s recent removal of fuel subsidies has led to protests and
criticism, while the nation's insecurity issues continue to dominate headlines.
Banditry, kidnappings, and insurgencies persist in various regions, testing
Tinubu’s government as it seeks to restore order and stability.
This reshuffling at the highest levels of security indicates the importance of aligning key personnel with Tinubu’s agenda as his administration navigates these mounting challenges.