Buhari sacks service chiefs, announces replacements

Amidst worsening insecurity, President Muhammadu Buhari Tuesday sacked all the service chiefs and announced their replacements.

The replacement of the security chiefs is coming after several calls for their removal by the public and federal lawmakers.

Each of the Military chiefs has spent at least 40years in service as against 35 years prescribed for public officers.

The Senate and the House of Representatives in separate resolutions had demanded the replacement of the Service Chiefs following worsening security in the north east where Islamic militants have killed thousands of people and destroyed several property. The insecurity has been compounded by banditry in the North West and kidnapping across the country but the presidency said their replacement is the prerogative of  the of the President Buhari who is the Commander –in- Chief.

Spokesman for the president, Femi Adesina said in a statement that President 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.

“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 statement said.

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.