At Last, Buhari Appoints New Service Chiefs, Retires Old Ones

President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs and appointed new officers as replacements.

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.

This was announced on Tuesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina who noted that the service chiefs have also retired from service. He tweeted:

PMB appoints new Service Chiefs. Maj Gen LEO Irabor, CDS, Maj Gen I Attahiru, Army, Rear Adm AZ Gambo, Navy, AVM IO Alao, Air Force. He congratulates outgoing Service Chiefs on efforts to bring enduring peace to the country.

— Femi Adesina (@FemAdesina) January 26, 2021

President Buhari appreciated the outgoing service chiefs for what he called their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours.

He congratulated the new service chiefs and urged them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.

There has been calls for the President to replace the service chiefs who he appointed in 2015 following security challenges confronting the nation. Many Nigerians from various quarters had expressed dismay over the President’s refusal to replace the outgoing service chiefs. Those who clamoured for their retirement included the National Assembly.