Army Generals kick against forced retirement, meet with CDS

Twenty-nine Major Generals in Army penciled down for retirement after the appointment Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, have kicked against their premature retirement from service.

This followed reports that Course 36 officers, who are senior to Yahaya, were directed via a memo to proceed on compulsory leave.

The affected officers include Maj. Gens. JB Olawumi, JO Akomolafe, CO Ude, G Oyefesobi, MO Uzoh, CC Okonkwo and MSA Aliyu.

Also on the list are UM Mohammed, BM Shafa, NE Angbazo, YP Auta, SA Yaro, J Sarham and HE Ayamasoawei.

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Others include: OF Azinta, BA Akinroluyo, KAY Isiyaku, AT Hamman, AM Aliyu, HPZ Vintienagba, HR Momoh, JR Unuigbe, AA Jidda, OI Uzomere, MH Magaji, LA Adegboye, MA Masanawa, OA Akinyemi and AM Dauda.

It was gathered that the generals, who still have three years to go, having served 32 years as against the 35 years requirement before exiting the service complained about the sudden and premature retirement confronting them.

Following the development, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, was said to have invited them to a meeting to iron out the issues on Thursday.

“Negotiations are still ongoing on the fate of the Course 36 and 37 officers. They are expected to meet with the CDS on Thursday”, a military source said.

Another source said: “They are grumbling and complaining that they were taken unawares. Some of them had plans that their retirement is due in three years and are planning accordingly, but here they are, being told to proceed on compulsory leave.”

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Meanwhile, the fate of Course 37 members, who are course mates of the army chief, was still undecided.

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There are indications that they may also be asked to leave, depending on the decision of the Nigerian Army Council headed by the Minister of Defence, Major General Bashir Magashi (rtd).

“Members of 37, course mates of COAS are also going to leave to enable him to have command and control over his juniors, Course 38,” a source said while noting that those who may survive would be sent to the Defence Headquarters and tri-service institutions.

“Those who will survive in Course 37 will be posted to DHQ and tri-services and the rest whom COAS can’t work with will go as well”, the source said.

It was also gathered that the major generals will undertake a one-year course in any local institution of their choice after the conclusion of the leave.