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Nigerian Army claims only 38 officers sacked, fails to disclose identities

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Army keeps mum on reported killing of another Lt. Colonel

The Nigerian Army on Sunday claimed that only 38 of its very senior officers had been retired from service, accusing individuals and media houses of being ridiculous with the number of high-ranking personnel said to have been booted out of service.

Since news of the massive shake-up in the military broke on Friday, there had been wide speculations as to the number and identities of the officers affected. Major news platforms had reported that between 50 and 200 senior soldiers may have been affected in the purge.

The claim on the exact number of Army officers sacked was contained in a statement signed and issued on Sunday night by Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations.

“For the avoidance of doubt the following is the statistics of the officers retired compulsorily; 9 Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, 7 Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels and a Major,” he said.

While failing to disclose the identities of the 38 retired officers, he reiterated that the reason for the retirements was “service exigencies,” and cautioned the populace against whipping up sentiments.

The press release noted as follows:

“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to speculations and rumours regarding the number and names of the senior Army officers affected in the recent retirement exercise. This is worrisome as some individuals and media houses went to the ridiculous extent of publishing outrageous figures and names of serving officers as being retired. This is unethical and unfair.

“It is therefore necessary to inform the public to please disregard such inaccurate lists.

“We wish to state that only 38 senior officers were affected by the retirement exercise.

“For the avoidance of doubt the following is the statistics of the officers retired compulsorily; 9 Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, 7 Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels and a Major.

“We are quite aware that some mischievous elements are trying to whip up sentiments. This is quite unfortunate because all the affected officers were retired based on Service exigencies and in line with the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“It is pertinent to remind all that the Nigerian Army is a professional institution that is based on highest standards of discipline and conduct.

“Consequently it’s personnel must remain professional, neutral and apolitical at all times.

Ripples Nigeria had reported that Aide de Camp (ADC) to former president Goodluck Jonathan, and the late president Musa Yar’Adua were among those retired.

 

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