Enoch Oyedibu
As the president of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari appointed a new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, exactly a week after the former COAS, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others met with Big Sleep in a plane crash in Kaduna; 25 major generals who were of the Regular Course 35 and Regular Course 36 may go.
This became know through several reactions, comments as well as through the conduct of his appointment.
“He was appointed based on ethnic and religion basis,” a source said.
Yahaya, until his appointment, he was the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, responsible for counter-terrorism and Counter-insurgency operations in the North-East.
Since his appointment, reactions in all forms have been generated. For example on Thursday, there were chronic indications that his appointment will spell out careers end for some generals in the Army that are of course superior to him who is of the Regular Course 37.
“From all indications no fewer than 25 major generals from courses 35 and 36 will leave the force with the appointment Yahaya.”
The pan-Northern socio-political organisation, Arewa ConsBiogrtive Forum, through its National Publicity Secretary, Emmanuel Yawe, told the newsmen in Kaduna on Thursday, that the profile of the new chief of army staff looked good for an exalted position.
But a civil rights advocacy group, Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria, in a statement by its National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, said the President’s refusal to appoint a COAS from the South-East showed that he did not believe in the unity of the country.
Brig-Gen. Bashir Adewinbi (retd.), in an interview with one of our correspondents advised the new COAS to focus more on the fight against banditry, terrorism and kidnapping among others.”
The New COAS Biography
The COAS was born on January 5, 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.
He started his cadet training at the NDA on September 27, 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on September 22, 1990.
Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS is Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.
Agency Report
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