Several senior officers of the Nigerian Army were yesterday retired from service, according to a statement issued by a military spokesman, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman.
Colonel Usman disclosed that the retired officers “were mainly some Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and a Major.” The statement said the officers were retired due to “service exigencies.” He did not provide the names of the affected officers.
In a hint that the retirements were disciplinary in nature, Colonel Usman noted “not too long ago some officers were investigated for being partisan during the 2015 General Elections. Similarly, the investigation by the Presidential Committee investigating Defense Contracts revealed a lot. Some officers have already been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).”
He appealed to the public not to read the retirements “out of context,” adding that the “military must remain apolitical and professional at all times.” Colonel Usman concluded, “We must applaud and support this laudable and bold initiative by the government.”
