Buhari plans military changes, not happy with DSS

Firstclass newsline learnt that there are indications that President
Muhammadu Buhari may carry out a major shake-up in the top echelons of
the military.
It was learnt that service chiefs and other senior officers across the
various arms of the military might be relieved of their posts to pave
way for new hands.
Findings showed that Buhari would replace the service chiefs with
equally experienced officers.
It was gathered that all but one of the military chiefs would be
disengaged by the President, while appointing new officers who would
be expected to implement the new phase of the war against the Boko
Haram sect in the North-East.
Sources said that there was anxiety in the military over the looming
change of guard which is expected to affect all the services,
including the Army, Navy, and the Air Force.
It was gathered that the military chiefs were acutely aware of the
fate that might befall them, having reached the pinnacle of their
career.
A source said that the President may be considering one of the service
chiefs to ensure smooth transition between the present military chiefs
and their successors.
But another source said this was not likely, noting that the only
service chief that might be retained is the Inspector-General of
Police, Mr. Solomon Arase, who was appointed a few months ago by the
administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan.
A source gathered that Buhari would likely appoint his "loyalists"
and those he had worked with into top positions.
It was also gathered that Buhari might have made up his mind to use
policemen and soldiers as presidential security, while whittling down
the influence and presence of the Department of State Services at the
Presidential Villa.
It was also learnt that Buhari indicated his preference for policemen
and soldiers trained in body guard protection instead of the usual
teams of DSS personnel used by his predecessor.
A source said that the President is unhappy with the agency over the
"various negative security reports it wrote against him during his
struggle to become the President, including the report on the recent
certificate saga."
Security sources said the rejection of 253 DSS operatives by Villa
authorities last week was informed by the President's directive that
he did not want the agency's personnel around him.
One of the sources said, "The President has yet to forgive the DSS for
what he sees as its antagonism against him before the last general
elections. So, the President has decided to keep the agency at arm's
length and for his security, he will be using policemen and soldiers."
The source added that though a DSS operative would still occupy the
post of the Chief Security Officer of the villa, "the CSO will be a
mere figure-head because he would have no control over the security at
the villa."
Further findings showed that since Buhari was sworn in, information
about his itinerary and schedules were no longer passed to the DSS as
is the tradition under the former President.
Firstclass newsline learnt that under the last administration, the CSO
would always be informed about the President's movement and daily
itinerary, but this was said to have changed since Buhari assumed
office. Presently, it was gathered, it is only the President's
Aide-de-Camp that knows Buhari's daily schedule and the CSO had to
rely on his contacts within the villa to know the President's
movement.
When contacted, the DSS Deputy Director, Public Relations, Marilyn
Ogar, had told one of our correspondents earlier in the week that she
could not comment on the issue of posting of the service officers at
the villa.
"I don't have such information and I cannot comment on it," she said.
Also, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and
Publicity, Mallam Garba Sheu, declined to comment on the issues of
appointment.
He said Buhari could not make any pronouncement on appointments or any
other issue until he received the report of his transition committee.
Shehu recalled that Jonathan submitted its handover note to Buhari on
the eve of his (Jonathan) exit from office.
He said the President thereafter handed over the note to a committee
led by Ahmed Joda to study and make recommendations.
He added, "The Joda committee was given two weeks to study Jonathan's
handover note and make recommendations.
"This committee just finished its assignment on Wednesday evening and
may present its recommendations to the President on Friday.
Firstclassnewsline.net