Ex-service chiefs should be investigated – Fayose
After so much executive foot-dragging, President Muhammadu Buhari has finally sacked his service chiefs and appointed new ones.
The new service chiefs are Major-General Leo Irabor as Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru as Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo as Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao as Chief of Air Staff.
Those retired were 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.
They were all appointed in 2015.
Spokesman for the president, Mr. Femi Adesina who disclosed this in a statement entitled ‘President Buhari appoints new service chiefs’ on Tuesday said Buhari had accepted the resignation of the former officers.
The statement reads: “President Muhammadu Buhari has accepted the immediate resignation of the Service Chiefs, and their retirement from service.
“Those involved 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.
“President Buhari thanks the outgoing Service Chiefs for what he calls their ‘overwhelming achievements in our efforts at bringing enduring peace to our dear country,’ wishing them well in their future endeavours.
“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.
“The President congratulates the new Service Chiefs, and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities.”
Meanwhile, former governor of Ekiti State, Mr. Ayodele Fayose has called for the investigation of the tenure the ex-service chiefs by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Fayose who shared on his official Twitter handle urged for a probe into the human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings under their watch.
He also accused them of only serving themselves and their pockets, rendering Nigeria insecure.
“The new service chiefs should learn from their immediate predecessors and remember nothing lasts forever.
“It is my call to the ICC and other relevant authorities that the tenure of the “sacked” service chiefs should be investigated, most importantly human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings under their watch and commands.
“The sacked service chiefs only served themselves and their pockets and can at best be described as “Disservice Chiefs” under whom Nigeria became completely insecure.
“Though coming after persistent pressure from Nigerians, President Buhari’s removal of the service chiefs and their replacement is a right step in the right direction.
“It is yet another victory for the people of Nigeria.”
