365Daily – Despite assurances from the Nigerian Army that Generals senior in rank to the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, would not be forced to resign, twenty-nine Army Generals have begun retirement process to exit from service.
Yahaya was appointed to replace Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died alongside 10 other military personnel in a plane crash in Kaduna State on May 21, 2021, while on national assignment.
It was initially speculated that between 30 and 45 Generals would be forced to leave the service following the appointment of the new Army Chief on May 27, 2021, as part of a Military tradition which seeks to avoid a situation where a junior officer will give orders to senior ones.
The Army had Generals who belong to Regular Courses 35 and 36 as at the time of Yahaya’s appointment.
Yahaya belongs to Regular Course 37.
Last week, the Defence Headquarters denied the report, saying none of its personnel had been retired, adding that the retirement of senior officers from the military was always ‘voluntary’.
“This has stirred up a lot of rumours in the media about mass retirements in the military.
“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 retirements have been authorised by the military high command,” Defence authorities said.
However, a memo reportedly sighted by PREMIUM TIMES showed a total of 29 Army Major Generals have been approved to proceed on terminal leave, paving way for their eventual retirement.
They include: J.B Olawumi, J.O. Akomolafe, C.O. Ude, G. Oyefesobi, M.O. Uzoh, C.C. Okonkwo and M.S.A. Aliyu.
Others are U.M. Mohammed, B.M. Ashafa, N.E. Angbazo, Y.P. Auta and S.A. Yaro. (See the full list below).
Their leave was approved with effect from June 1, 2021.
The memo was, however, silent on major generals from the regular course 35, who are also Mr Yahaya seniors.
Below is the full list of generals proceeding on retirement:
1. JB Olawumi
2. JO Akomolafe
3. CO Ude
4. G Oyefesobi
5. MO Uzoh
6. CC Okonkwo
7. MSA Aliyu
8. UM Mohammed
9. BM Shafa
10. NE Angbazo
11. YP Auta
12. SA Yaro
13. J Sarham
14. HE Ayamasoawei
15. OF Azinta
16. BA Akinroluyo
17. KAY Isiyaku
18. AT Hamman
19. AM Aliyu
20. HPZ Vintienagba
21. HR Momoh
22. JR Unuigbe
23. AA Jidda
24. OI Uzomere
25. MH Magaji
26. LA Adegboye
27. MA Masanawa
28. OA Akinyemi
29. AM Dauda