Arms Procurement Scandal: Army Retrenches Top Officers

Arms Procurement Scandal: Army Retrenches Top Officers

The Nigerian Army Council on Friday approved the retirement of some senior officers linked to the on-going arms procurement scandal rocking the armed forces, Leadership is reporting.

Some of the those retrenched are standing trial before the court or are considered “bad eggs” the paper stated.

A statement signed by acting director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman claimed that the retirement is based on service exigencies.

The statement reads in part: “Those retired were mainly some Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and a Major. Their retirement was based on Service exigencies. It should be recalled that not too long ago some officers were investigated for being partisan during the 2015 General Elections.”

The statement added that; “similarly, the investigation by the Presidential Committee investigating Defence Contracts revealed a lot. Some officers have already been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”

“People should therefore  not read this out of context. The military must remain apolitical and professional at all times. We must applaud and support this laudable and bold initiative  by the government. You are please requested to disseminate this information to the public through your medium.”

According to Leadership, those retired include Major General F O Ali, former commander, Brigade of Guards; Major General Emmanuel Atewe; Major General M Y Ibrahim, Brigadier General L M Bello and Brigadier General Mustafa Onoyevita.

Others on the list of retirees are Brigadier General A S H Sa’ad, Brigadier General Mormoni Bashir, Brigadier General D Abdulsalam, Colonel Dr Hassan, Colonel Nwankwo, Lt Col Suleiman.