The new Service Chiefs, according to the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina 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.
The retired officers are: the Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.
Adesina said that all the service chiefs have retired from service.
President Buhari thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he described as their “overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,” wishing them well in their future endeavours.”
He also congratulated the new Service Chiefs and urged them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their duties.
The Service Chiefs were replaced after numerous calls for their removal over the heightened insecurity in the country.
In July, the Nigerian Senate had urged the President to direct the service chiefs to step aside, insisting that the military authorities had failed in their responsibilities to secure the country.
Following the gruesome murder of 43 farmers in Zabarmari, Borno State by Boko Haram terrorists in December, the Upper Legislative House had renewed its call for their sack.