Nigeria’s intelligence chief DG, Ahmed Rufai resigns

In a rare action event, the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mr. Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, has officially stepped down from his position. The seasoned intelligence chief submitted his resignation to President Bola Tinubu on Saturday, although the specific reasons for his departure remain undisclosed.

Mr. Abubakar, who was initially appointed in 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari and reappointed in December 2021, has been a pivotal figure in Nigeria’s intelligence community. His tenure spanned two administrations, making him one of the few to serve under consecutive presidents in the country’s history.

In a brief conversation following his resignation, Abubakar shared that his visit to the presidency was primarily to update the President on the nation’s security landscape. “It’s a routine thing,” he remarked. “From time to time, I brief Mr. President on situations in the country, and today was no exception. After the briefing, I tendered my resignation, and Mr. President graciously accepted it.”

Expressing his gratitude, Abubakar noted, “I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria under his transformational leadership for an extended period of 15 months. It’s a rare privilege to serve two Presidents consecutively.” His departure marks the end of an era, leaving many to speculate on the implications for Nigeria’s intelligence apparatus.