29 Army Generals may be on their way out of service following the appointment of Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Premium Times reports.

Maj. Gen Yahaya, of the Regular Course 37 was named the Army chief by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 27. 

Shortly after the appointment of the new COAS, there were speculations that between 30 and 45 generals, who are his seniors, may be asked to go home. The senior officer belong to Regular Courses 35 and 36.

A matter of tradition 

In accordance with Nigerian military tradition, whenever an officer is appointed as a service chief, senior officers who are ahead of him proceed on retirement as it would be abnormal for senior military officers to take orders from a junior.

Denial 

However, the Defence Headquarters had, in a statement last week, dismissed the speculations of the pending retirements, saying the retirement of senior officers from the military was always ‘voluntary’.

In the statement, Acting Director, Defence Media Operations, Brig. Gen. Bernard Onyeuko, said, “At this point, you are all aware of the appointment of the new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Farouk Yahaya. This has stirred up a lot of rumours in the media about mass retirements in the military.

“I wish to use this medium to dispel such unfounded rumours as retirement is only on a voluntary basis for senior officers who desire to do so.

“At this point, no retirements have been authorised by the military high command," he said.

Generals retired

A leaked secret memo has revealed that a total of 29 Army Major Generals may have now been approved to proceed on terminal leave, paving way for their eventual retirement.

Premium Times reports that in the memo seen by the publication, 29 Generals, from RC36 have been approved to proceed on terminal leave with effect from June 1.

The memo was, however, silent on Major Generals from RC35, who are also Mr Yahaya seniors.

Below is the full list of the affected Generals according to the memo:

1. JB Olawumi

2. JO Akomolafe

3. CO Ude

4. G Oyefesobi

5. MO Uzoh

6. CC Okonkwo

7. MSA Aliyu

8. UM Mohammed

9. BM Shafa

10. NE Angbazo

11. Auta

12. SA Yaro

13. J Sarham

14. HE Ayamasoawei

15. OF Azinta

16. BA Akinroluyo

17. KAY Isiyaku

18. AT Hamman

19. AM Aliyu

20. HPZ Vintienagba

21. HR Momoh

22. JR Unuigbe

23. AA Jidda

24. OI Uzomere

25. MH Magaji

26. LA Adegboye

27. MA Masanawa

28. OA Akinyemi

29. AM Dauda