Headlines

Retirements: Rumbles In The Army/Police

Published

9 years ago

July 19, 2016

Our Reporter

By Sam ADEGBE, Abuja

Retirees Go For The Broke, Unleash Anger on Buratai/Idris PSC Withholds Severance Letters Of Retired DIGs/AIGs
As Accelerated Promotions Excite New DIGs, AIGs

Recent developments in the Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Army are pointers to the fact that certain individuals are poised at extracting their pounds of flesh from Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, whom they perceived as being the brain behind the recent retirement of officers. Buratai who has been in the eyes of the storm over some properties he acquired long before he assumed office may as well be a victim of vendetta by aggrieved officers who were affected by the recent massive purges of over 50 Officers. Our correspondent reports that, some of the officers have been overheard saying they will expose the Chief of Army Staff for turning a blind eye to their plights, even when he knew that some of them were not as guilty as being portrayed. This is even as there are indications that all is not well between the Police Service Commission, PSC and the Presidency over the mass retirement of the top echelon of the Nigerian Police Force, which may have swept out some of the tested hands on the job. Described as unprecedented in the history of the force, the Police Service Commission which duty it is to carry out such exercises may have withheld retirement letters of the affected Deputy Inspectors General and Assistant Inspectors General in protest. nationalTRAIL learnt that the PSC was not consulted before the mass retirement; rather the Presidency took the decision unilaterally based on the recommendations by the Acting Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, who felt he could not work with the affected officers. One of the affected officers told our correspondent that as at last week, the PSC was still holding on to the letters of retirement against the background of a possible review of the exercise to exempt certain categories of the retirees. According to our source, the PSC was merely putting on an act by pouring encomiums on the President and the New IG, but have reservations about the exercise and had communicated their opinion on the matter to the appropriate authorities. Our correspondent gathered that, while the massive purge in both the Army and the Police may have paved way for the ascension of other low ranking officers, who got accelerated promotions, the generality of those unceremoniously disengaged may have opened a sort of enmity with their bosses at the top. Highly placed retired Police and Army Officers have faulted the manner the officers were disengaged, and cautioned the Presidency against taking such drastic decisions in any of the security agencies in the future to avoid weeding out quality hands from service. Our correspondent reports that, recent posts which have generated controversies about the Chief of Army staff in particular may not be unconnected with outpouring of anger amongst officers retired unceremoniously from the army, even as sources hinted of possible similar moves against the new IGP. It may be recalled that the new Acting inspector General of Police was reported to have told the President that he could not work with all 28 senior officers recently retired, a statement which most of them did not take lightly.

Headlines

“Nigeria Is in a Hurry to Celebrate Victory Over Enemies of the State,” Says Tinubu as He Decorates New Service Chiefs

Published

1 month ago

October 30, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has urged the newly appointed service chiefs to discharge their duties with utmost dedication and renewed commitment, declaring that “Nigeria is in a hurry to celebrate victory over enemies of the state.”

The President made this statement on Thursday during the decoration ceremony of the new service chiefs with their ranks at the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in Abuja.

Those decorated were General Olufemi Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant-General Wahidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Marshal Kennedy Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Vice Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima and the spouses of the newly promoted officers, who joined the President in performing the decorations.

In his address, Tinubu underscored the central role of security in fostering national development and reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting the lives and property of all Nigerians.

“Security is an essential element without which everything else becomes meaningless,” the President stated. “There can be no sustainable development if this fundamental need is not met. Our people and our nation must remain secure to enjoy the dividends of governance.”

The elevation and decoration of the new military chiefs followed their confirmation by the National Assembly on Wednesday, after a closed-door screening session with lawmakers.

It will be recalled that, in a recent overhaul of the nation’s military hierarchy, President Tinubu appointed:

Lieutenant General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Chief of Defence Staff,
Major General Waidi Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff,
Rear Admiral Idi Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff,
Air Vice Marshal Sunday Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and
Major General Emmanuel Undiandeye retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

The new appointments mark a strategic restructuring of Nigeria’s security leadership aimed at strengthening the fight against insurgency, banditry, and other threats to national stability.

Headlines

FG Dismisses Coup Rumour, Reaffirms Confidence in Nigerian Military

Published

1 month ago

October 20, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government has dismissed widespread rumours of an alleged military coup plot against President Bola Tinubu, declaring its full confidence in the loyalty and professionalism of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, made this known in an interview with The Punch on Sunday, insisting that the administration has “no reason whatsoever” to doubt the assurances given by the Defence Headquarters, which had earlier denied reports linking the detention of 16 military officers to a coup attempt.

“The Federal Government has no reason to doubt the military on what it has said,” Idris stated.
“We believe the Armed Forces of Nigeria remain committed to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and strengthening the fight against insecurity. The government commends their sacrifice and will continue to support them in safeguarding the country.”

The minister’s remarks came a day after the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, firmly debunked a report by Sahara Reporters alleging that the detention of 16 officers was connected to a failed coup plot and the cancellation of the 65th Independence Day parade.

Gusau described the publication as “false, mischievous, and deliberately aimed at creating unnecessary tension and public distrust.”

He clarified that the cancellation of the October 1 Independence Day parade was a purely administrative decision — taken to allow President Tinubu attend a key bilateral meeting abroad and to enable military units sustain ongoing counterinsurgency operations nationwide.

On the issue of the detained officers, Gusau said their case was “an internal disciplinary process” and not related to any political matter.

“The investigation involving the 16 officers is routine, aimed at upholding discipline and professionalism within the ranks,” he explained. “An investigative panel has been constituted, and its findings will be made public in due course.”

Reaffirming the military’s constitutional role and unwavering commitment to civilian rule, Gusau stressed emphatically:

“Democracy is forever.”

Headlines

FG Moves to Reform Civil Service Disciplinary System for Greater Efficiency

Published

2 months ago

October 14, 2025

Our Reporter

By: Fabian Apechihin

The Federal Government is set to overhaul the disciplinary control system in the civil service to promote efficiency, accountability, and timely resolution of cases.

The Chairman of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC), Prof. Tunji Olaopa, made this known during a one-day joint retreat between the FCSC and the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF).

In a statement issued on Tuesday by the Commission’s Head of Press and Public Relations, Taiwo Hassan, Olaopa emphasized that the review would drive culture change, value reorientation, and improve the overall disciplinary framework in the public sector.

He likened the relationship between the FCSC and OHCSF to that of “Siamese twins,” noting that both bodies share crucial responsibilities in policy implementation, regulatory enforcement, and leadership across the service.

Olaopa also underscored the need for stronger collaboration and communication between the two institutions to avoid misunderstandings, build trust, and enhance service delivery.

The FCSC chairman further advocated for an integrated system that links merit-based recruitment, competency-driven human resource management, and performance evaluation with the civil service wage structure, saying such reforms would help reposition government as an “employer of choice.”

Speaking on behalf of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Dr. Folasade Yemi-Esan, Esther Walson-Jack praised Olaopa’s reform initiatives, describing the retreat as a renewed commitment to strengthening collaboration and efficiency within the civil service.

The renewed push for reform follows rising concerns about bureaucratic bottlenecks, delayed disciplinary actions, and weak accountability mechanisms in Nigeria’s public administration.