Emerging report indicates that no fewer than 20 top Army Generals are set to retire over the appointment of new Service Chiefs.
Recall that the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement titled, ‘President Buhari appoints new service chiefs,’ named officers who would head the nation’s armed forces.
According to him, they include Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Lucky Irabor; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General I. Attahiru; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, and the Chief of Air Staff, Air-Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao.
Shortly after the appointment of the Service Chiefs, sources in the Nigerian Army disclosed that the appointment of the new Service Chiefs might force no fewer than 20 Generals in regiment courses 34 and 35 to retire. While Attahiru is a member of Course 35, Irabor is a member of Course 34.
It was learnt that chief among those expected to retire is Lt. Gen. Lamidi Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations, Army headquarters.
He was promoted in 2019 to the same rank as Buratai by the President.
A Retired General said: “We have the dearth of officers with experience in Liberia and Sierra Leone wars because it takes gut to fight these boys (insurgents). They use the same tactics we fought against in Sierra Leone and Liberia. It is not automatic that members of Course 34 and 35 would retire.
“Course 33 has gone, we have 34 and 35. Irabor is Course 34. Attahiru is course 35. About 20 generals in course 34 and 35 may go, but the COAS may retain some of them. He would use his discretion. He would want his course mates to be around him. Some may be posted to the defence headquarters.”
