Full List: 24 Major Generals To End Career For New Chief Of Army Staff

Twenty four, 24 Major Generals To End Career For New Chief Of Army Staff, their names can be accessed below..

About 24 senior officers of the Nigerian Army on the rank of Major Generals may have to ‘end’ their careers to accommodate the appointment of Major General Farouq Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Sokoto born was appointed the new COAS last Thursday by President Buhari following the death of the past COAS, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru on May 21, 2021, in a plane crash in Kaduna State.

Major-General Farouq resumed duties on Friday at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

However, Onyxnews gathered that the senior officers to the newly appointed Army Chief may have to make way to accommodate him in his new position.

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The 24 Generals affected by Yahaya’s appointment are 13 from the North and 11 from the South.

According to a document displaying those who are above the new COAS in terms of seniority as analyzed by PR Nigeria indicated that the North West, the place Farouq comes from, has three Major Generals who are above him, in seniority.

They include Major Generals MSA Aliyu, YP Auta, and J Sarham. The four Generals from the North Central above the new Army Chief are JO Akomolafe, UM Mohammed, NE Angbazo, and Kay Isiyaku. That of the North East, are six in number, and they include Major Generals AS Maikobi, SA Yaro, AT Hamman, AM Aliyu, HPZ Vintenaba, and IM Yusuf. From the South West, these five Major Generals–JB Olawumi, G Oyefesobi, BM Shafa, BA Akinroluyo, and KO Kadiri–are Farouq’s senior in the Army.

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Also Generals CO Ude, MO Uzoh, CC Okonkwo, BI Ahanotu, and OF Azinta, all from the South East, are senior to the newly appointed COAS.

Major General HE Ayamasaowei from Bayelsa State is the only Army senior officer from the South-South who is also Farouq’s senior.

It was further disclosed that there are over 100 officers on the rank of Major General presently in service.

Giving explanation on the possible reason behind the choice of Yahaya as the new COAS, a retired military officer who spoke to PRNigeria on anonymity said it may be because the new COAS belongs to the elite infantry corps that belongs to the combat and operational forces in the Army.

“The Nigerian Army as a multidisciplinary arm has some Major Generals that senior Farouq Yahaya but are neither from combat nor in the combat supporting corps known as fighting arms.

“In terms of military operation officers from the infantry, armour, and artillery are usually knowledgeable and skilful on battlegrounds and counter-insurgency operations.

“Other corps from intelligence, signals, police and engineering provide supporting roles. Some other Major Generals are in the administrative and general corps such as Public Relations, Education, Medical and Chaplaincy among others whose roles do not include combat operations,” he said.

Another military source said the listed generals are to embark on executive courses till they are due to retire.

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The Minister of Defence, Bashir Salihi-Magashi has defended the decision of President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

According to the Minister, Buhari didn’t consider ethnic or religious factors but only national interest in choosing the new Chief of Army Staff.