Disquiet in Nigeria’s Security Corridors Over Sudden Resignation of NIA Boss

Abuja’s security arena is in a palpable cold mood following the sudden resignation of the Director General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai.

Speaking with newsmen after his sudden resignation on Saturday evening, the NIA boss said he resigned via a letter he tendered to President Bola Tinubu.

However, those in a position to know believe that “it may be a forced resignation.”

An impeccable source told The Guardian that “the resignation may not be unconnected to the recent protest and funding from abroad.”

Other sources insisted that his reasons for resignation are not yet clear.

Some retired top intelligence brass who confided in *The Guardian* also expressed shock over the resignation.

The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is a Nigerian government apparatus overseeing foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.

The Guardian reports that Rufai, on Saturday, confirmed that his resignation had been accepted by the president, but declined to elaborate on the specific reasons behind his decision.

READ ALSO: NIA DG tenders resignation to Tinubu

“It’s a routine thing from time to time to brief the president on situations, and today is no exception. After the briefing today, I tendered my resignation and Mr. President graciously approved and accepted the resignation,” Abubakar told State House correspondents.

“I thanked him for giving me the opportunity to serve Nigeria under his transformational leadership for a period, for an extended period of 15 months. It is very rare, by the way, to have the opportunity to serve two presidents. So, I thanked him very well, and I promised to remain professionally dedicated to our country and noble causes.

“I’m very, very grateful for the opportunity that the president gave me—actually to serve the country and his leadership—the encouragement I got, the confidence he had in me and my service, the opportunity to listen to me, to read briefing notes and advice, and so on. I think this is everything to me, and I have had the opportunity to mentor officers and staff for all the time I have been DG. This is the seventh year, by the way.”

When pressed for reasons for his resignation, Abubakar hinted at personal family issues, stating, “There are quite a number of reasons one will do that, some personal family issues, but nothing very serious, actually, and the friendship will continue. I discussed this with Mr President, and he understood very well.”