Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan has sacked his military high command, his spokesman Reuben Abati has said.
No reason was given but the dismissals come amid growing concern about the military’s failure to end the Islamist-led insurgency in northern Nigeria.
Mr Abati said Air Marshal Alex Badeh replaces Admiral Ola Ibrahim as the new chief of defence staff, the most senior post in the military.
Boko Haram has been waging a four-year insurgency in Nigeria.
Mr Jonathan imposed a state of emergency in three northern states in May 2013, giving the military wide-ranging powers to end the insurgency.