The security community in Abuja was thrown into a state of uncertainty following the sudden resignation of the Director-General of the National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Ahmed Rufai.
Rufai handed his resignation through a letter presented to President Bola Tinubu at the Aso Rock Villa in Abuja.
Although the reasons for his resignation remain unclear, sources within the intelligence community have suggested that the move may have been influenced by external factors, including recent protests and funding concerns from abroad.
Insiders that spoke with TheGuardian speculate that the resignation might have been a forced decision, although no official confirmation has been provided.
Speaking briefly with reporters after his resignation, Rufai declined to elaborate on the specifics of his departure, leading to further speculation.
Rufai only gave personal and family issues as his reason for resigning from office.
Some retired top intelligence officials expressed shock at the sudden development, noting that it came as a surprise to many in the security sector.
The National Intelligence Agency (NIA) is responsible for overseeing Nigeria’s foreign intelligence and counter-intelligence operations.