The Director General of the National Intelligence Agency, Ahmed Rufai Abubakar, on Saturday tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu.
He later told newsmen in an interview that he resigned for family reasons.
But his resignation caught many in the intelligence community unaware.
A retired military intelligence officer who was asked for comments on the NIA DG’s resignation told NewsNGR he was also asking former colleagues the same question.
“It’s a clandestine affair. Nobody can know by this time, but we shall find out within the community,” he said.
When asked if it has any link to the fight against insecurity, the officer who once headed an intelligence agency, said, “But his job is not centred on domestic intelligence but external intelligence. DSS is responsible for domestic intelligence. The person who should resign should be the NSA.”
Abubakar was appointed in January 2018 by former President Muhammadu Buhari, his kinsman, following the suspension of Ayo Oke, in April 2017 over allegations of fraud.
The appointment was heavily criticised and a civil society organisation called Concerned Nigerians had initiated an action against the president at the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court.
Directors in the agency were believed to be strongly against his appointment while it was also suggested that Abubakar was not relating well with the then National Security Adviser, Mohammed Babagana Monguno.
Abubakar, in an interview shortly after he tendered his resignation to President Bola Tinubu, said, “There are quite a number of reasons why I did that, some personal family issues. But nothing serious actually.
“I discussed with Mr. President; he understood very well.
“I’m very very grateful for the opportunity that the president gave me to serve the country and the leadership and its leadership.
“The encouragement I got, the confidence he had in me and my service, the opportunity to listen to me, to read our briefings and advice. I think this is everything for me. I’ve had the opportunity to mentor officers and staff for all the period I’ve been the DG.”