PMB Appoints New NSA, Service Chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed five new service chiefs and a new National Security Adviser (NSA).

The president announced the appointment of the new service chiefs after relieving the former service chiefs and the former NSA, Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) of their jobs.

The new NSA is Major-General Babagana Monguno (rtd.), while the new service chiefs include Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Defence Staff and Major-General T.Y. Buratai , Chief of Army Staff.

Others are Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; and Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan, Chief of Defence Intelligence.

A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina noted that “the new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until confirmed by the Senate”.

Although no reason was given for the sack of the former service chiefs and NSA, LEADERSHIP gathered that the sack of the service chiefs may not be unconnected with the growing spate of attacks by the Boko Haram sect of recent.

Adesina noted in the statement that President Buhari thanked “the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security Adviser for their services to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours”.

According to the statement, “The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State. Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.

“The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force which has its headquarters in Ndjamena.

“Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State”.

Adesina added that the new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) who hails from Cross River State enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.

“His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters. Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited”, he stated.

He further noted that the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from Bauchi State.

“His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command. Until his new appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF Headquarters”.