Boko Haram claims NSA, service chiefs

*South East loses out on top posts

‎EMEKA AMAKOR, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday sacked the nation’s service chiefs and National Security Adviser (NSA) after allegations of widespread human rights abuses by troops and a surge in violence by Boko Haram insurgents in the North East.

At least 550 people have been killed since his inauguration and recent weeks have seen a string of suicide bombings.

It would be recalled that Buhari, who ran Nigeria with an iron fist in the 1980s, had pledged in his inauguration speech on May 29 to reform the armed forces but criticism of his failure to fulfill the pledge after almost two months in office was starting to grow.

The president, through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, confirmed the sack of the former service chiefs to State House correspondents at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The affected officers are Chief of Defence Staff, Alex Badeh; Chief of Naval Staff, Usman Jibrin; Chief of Army Staff, Kenneth Minimah and Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu.

All of them were appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on January 16, 2014.

Badeh took over from Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim; Minimah replaced Azubike Ihejirika; Jibrin succeeded Joseph Ezeoba and Amosu became chief of air staff following the elevation of Badeh.

Since he assumed office on May 29, Buhari has met with the dismissed military chiefs on three occasions.

Buhari also sacked the National Security Adviser, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd).

Hallmark had on Monday reported an imminent shake-up in the military.

Meanwhile, the president also on Monday approved the appointments of new service chiefs and National Security Adviser for the country.

The new appointments, according to the statement are: Maj.-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin – Chief of Defence Staff; Maj.-Gen. T.Y. Buratai – Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas – Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar – Chief of Air Staff; Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan – Chief of Defence Intelligence and Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno (rtd) – National Security Adviser

The new Chief of Defence Staff, Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State.

Until his new appointment, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

The new Chief of Army Staff, Buratai hails from Borno State.

He was, until his new appointment, the Commander of the Multi-National Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena.

He has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.

The new Chief of Naval Staff, Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River State.

He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.

His previous appointments include Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited.

The new Chief of Air Staff, Abubakar (NAF/1433), hails from Bauchi State.

His previous appointments include Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters.

Adesina said the new service chiefs would hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate.

He quoted the president as thanking the outgoing service chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wished them well in their future endeavours.