The immediate past Chief Of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, has revealed that former President Olusegun Obasanjo almost sent him into retirement as a major when he came to power in 1999.
Buratai, who spoke on Thursday while handing over to his successor, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru at a ceremony at Army Headquarters Abuja, did not however, give any further details.
But Obasanjo, at the time, purged the military of “political soldiers” – military officers who had benefitted from political appointments prior to 1999.
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Speaking further, Buratai described as “historic” his attainment of the rank of Lieutenant General and the position of COAS.
According to him: “Former President Olusegun Obasanjo almost retired me 21 years ago when I was a Major. My retirement after 40 years of Service is historic,hence, calls for gratitude”.
He added that the Nigerian Army had been better positioned with intelligence gathering techniques and equipment, noting, that the security situation across the country had largely stabilised under his watch.
The new COAS officially resumed duty at the army headquarters Abuja on Thursday.
He succeeds Buratai, who resigned Monday after President Muhammadu Buhari appointed new Service Chiefs.
Attahiru solicited the support of soldiers and officers to reposition the Nigerian Army.
He thanked President Buhari for finding him worthy, adding that he counted himself lucky to have been chosen as the COAS.