DHQ Makes Clarification on Rumoured Mass Retirement in Nigerian Army
- Reports that there will mass retirement of top military officers in the Nigerian Army have been referred to as false
- The Defence Headquarters head of media operations, Bernard Onyeukode, bunked the claims on Thursday, June 3
- Onyeuko explained that the Army generals usually retire voluntarily, not compulsorily as falsely speculated
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Abuja - There have been claims that following the appointment of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Farouk Yahaya, there will be mass retirement in the Nigerian Army.
However, this report was on Thursday, June 3, denied by the Nigerian Defence Headquarters (DHQ) during a press briefing in Abuja, PR Nigeria reports.
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Denying the rumours, Bernard Onyeuko, the acting director, Defence media operations on Thursday, noted that retirement of Army generals is often voluntary and that so far no such directive has been issued or approved, Daily Nigerian also reported.
Affirming the military's position on the perceived mass retirement, Onyeuko stated:
“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 retirement has been authorised by the military high command."
Fear of forced mass retirement grips top officers
Earlier, it was gathered by Legit.ng that serving members of Regular Course 35, 36 and 37 in the Army, Air Force and Navy, might be forced out of service with the appointment of Major General Yahaya by President Muhammadu Buhari.
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A reliable military source said that the senior officers may be asked to turn in their papers for ease of administration or be posted out to head tri-service institutions depending on the discretion of the Military council.
The source said:
“There is going to be a serious shakeup in the three Services with the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff. Depending on the decision of the Military Council, members of Course 35, 36 and 37 may be asked to turn in their papers for ease of administration or they can also be redeployed to head tri-service institutions but most of them will go certainly.”
Source: Legit.ng
