The Nigerian Army has released an official statement saying that only 38 officers were retired in the
recent disengagement exercise and not the hundreds as being speculated.
In a statement released late Sunday and
signed by Col. Sani Kukasheka Usman, Acting Director Army Public Relations, the
Army said only 19 officers above the rank of Brigadier Generals were sacked.
The full Army statement:”The attention of
the Nigerian Army has been drawn to speculation 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.”
The Army carried out the exercise in the
wake of complaints levelled against some of the officers during elections held
over the past two years.
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