COAS Yahaya’s Seniors Can Resign Or Stay – Army

The Nigerian military high command has reacted to reports that some major generals may have to bow out of the army following the appointment of their junior, Major General Farouk Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff.

Yahaya was appointed COAS after his predecessor, Ibrahim Attahiru, recently died in a plane crash alongside other 10 other military officers.

Following Attahiru’s death, there had been speculations that about 30 army generals on Regular Course 35 and 36 may be forced to resign as Yahaya, a Regular Course 37 officer, would automatically become their senior.

It is the tradition in the Nigerian Army and other arms of the military that when a COAS or its equivalent is appointed, all officers who are his seniors would offer to resign, a retired Major General recently told THE WHISTLER.

“Those in the rank of major general must have spent about 35 years in service, and that is the retirement age for public servant.

“So, if some major generals have to resign because they are senior to the man appointed as COAS, it’s normal. They are even expected to resign on their own without being prompted. It happened to me and I offered my resignation,” General Ganiyu Adewale (rtrd) had said.

However, in a statement on Thursday, the Ag. Director of Defence Media Operation, Brig-Gen. Benard Onyeuko, refuted reports that the appointment of the new COAS may trigger mass retirement of generals in the army.

“Retirement is only on voluntary basis for senior officers who desire to do so. At this point, no retirements have been authorized by the Military High Command. 14.

“The Military High Command will not be weary of appreciating the general public for their support and continue to encourage them to provide credible and timely information that will facilitate our proactive engagements in the theatres of operations.

“The Military High Command also lauds all efforts of the gallant troops of the Armed Forces and personnel of other security agencies involved in various operations across the country for their resilience and indefatigable commitment,” said Onyeuko.