Buhari finally appoints new service chiefs as insecurity keeps rising across Nigeria

PRESIDENT Muhammadu has eventually responded to the growing insecurity across Nigeria by replacing all of his four military service chiefs urging the new appointees to dedicate themselves to providing security.

Upon assuming office in 2015, President Buhari appointed General Abayomi Olonisakin as the chief of defence staff, Lt General Tukur Buratai as  army staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas as the chief of naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar as the chief of air staff. Of late, they have come in for a lot of criticism over their failure to address the growing insecurity in the country.

Apart from the Boko Haram insurgency in the northeast, heavily armed Fulani cattle herdsmen have been terrorising the countryside, while other violent crimes like kidnapping and banditry are on the rise. Last year, the National Assembly called on President Buhari to replace the service chief in a bid to inject some new urgency into the fight against insecurity.

This afternoon, Major General Leo Irabor was named as the new chief of defence staff,  Major General Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed as the new chief of army staff, Rear Admiral AZ Gambo was named as the new chief of naval staff, while Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao is the new chief of air staff. Their appointments take effect immediately as the predecessors embark on retirement.

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. He then wished them well in their future endeavours.

Femi Adesina, President Buhari's spokesman, said his principal congratulates the new service chiefs and urges them to be loyal and dedicated in the discharge of their responsibilities. he added that the outgoing chiefs all handed in their r4etuirement letters, which have been accepted by President Buhari.