Buhari Appoints New Service Chiefs

After long months ignoring calls by a large proportion of the public to dismiss Nigeria’s top military personnel over gross insecurity blamed on their poor performance across the country, President Muhammadu Buhari has sacked the top military brass he appointed for national security.

The decision to sack the military personnel was conveyed in a press release issued today, Monday January 26 by President Buhari’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service. Those involved are the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar”, the release noted.

Without giving reasons for the action, the release continued: “President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours. The new Service Chiefs are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities”.