Nigerian Army allegedly retires 29 Generals despite denial

COAS: 29 Army generals allegedly asked to proceed on retirement

The Nigerian Army has allegedly forced 29 generals to retire following the appointment of Major general Farouk Yahaya  as the chief of army staff.

Recall that, there were speculations following the appointment of the new COAS that between 30 and 45 new generals who belong to regular courses 35 and 36 will be forced to retire. Read here

According to the military tradition, when a junior is appointed as service chief, senior officers, who are ahead of him or her, would proceed on retirement because senior military officers are unlikely to take orders from their juniors.

However, the Defence Headquarters last week dismissed the speculations claiming that none of its personnel had been retired following the appointment of Mr. Yahaya as the retirement of senior officers from the military was always ‘voluntary’.

The Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Bernard Onyeuko, a brigadier general, who briefed journalists on the matter last week, said retirement of senior officers from the military was always voluntary.

READ ALSO: MEET THE NEW ARMY CHIEF: 5 things you should know about Major General Farouk Yahaya

“At this point, you are all aware of the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya,” Mr Onyeuko said.

“This has stirred up a lot of rumours in the media about mass retirements in the military.

“I wish to use this medium to dispel such unfounded rumours as retirement is only on a voluntary basis for senior officers who desire to do so.

“At this point, no retirements have been authorised by the military high command.”

According to a memo sighted by PREMIUM TIMES, it indicated that a total of 29 Army major generals have been approved to proceed on terminal leave, paving way for their eventual retirement.

Their retirement comes less than two weeks after the appointment of Mr Yahaya as the COAS.

According to the memo, the 29 generals, from regular course 36 have been approved to proceed on terminal leave.

Among the generals are J.B Olawumi, J.O. Akomolafe, C.O. Ude, G. Oyefesobi, M.O. Uzoh, C.C. Okonkwo and M.S.A. Aliyu.

Others are U.M. Mohammed, B.M. Ashafa, N.E. Angbazo, Y.P. Auta and S.A. Yaro. (See the full list below).

Their leave was approved with effect from June 1, 2021.

The memo was, however, silent on major generals from the regular course 35, who are also Mr Yahaya seniors.

Below is the full list of generals proceeding on retirement:

1. JB Olawumi

2. JO Akomolafe

3. CO Ude

4. G Oyefesobi

5. MO Uzoh

6. CC Okonkwo

7. MSA Aliyu

8. UM Mohammed

9. BM Shafa

10. NE Angbazo

11. YP Auta

12. SA Yaro

13. J Sarham

14. HE Ayamasoawei

15. OF Azinta

16. BA Akinroluyo

17. KAY Isiyaku

18. AT Hamman

19. AM Aliyu

20. HPZ Vintienagba

21. HR Momoh

22. JR Unuigbe

23. AA Jidda

24. OI Uzomere

25. MH Magaji

26. LA Adegboye

27. MA Masanawa

28. OA Akinyemi

29. AM Dauda