Breaking: Leo Irabor takes over as Nigeria's 17th Chief of Defence Staff
- Major General Leo Irabor is officially Nigeria's Chief of Defence Staff
- Irabor is taking over from Lt-Gen Gabriel Olonisakin the 16th CDS
- The outgoing chief of defence staff expressed gratitude to serve Nigeria
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Following the resignation of the former service chiefs, Major General Leo Irabor has officially taken over as the 17th chief of defence staff.
Irabor succeeds the former occupier of the seat, Lieutenant General Gabriel Olonisakin who handed over the mantle of leadership on Friday, January 29.
Olonisakin made this known in a tweet sighted by Legit.ng, expressed his appreciation to President Muhammadu Buhari and Nigerians for the privilege to serve.
Source: Twitter
The outgoing CDS served for five years and six months as the country's 16th chief of defence staff.
While congratulating Maj-Gen Irabor during the ceremony, Olonisakin wished the new CDS a successful tenure.
Irabor was appointed by the president alongside the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Gambo, and the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshall Isiaka Amao.
Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the presidency finally lifted the lids on the appointment of the new service chiefs, saying the decision was based on the need to rejig the security structure of the country.
Femi Adesina, a media and publicity aide to President Buhari, made this revelation on Tuesday, January 26.
Adesina said Buhari felt it was time to appoint new service chiefs, hence the decision to bring in new men with fresh ideas and strategy.
The presidential media aide also faulted the claims that the outgoing service chiefs' resignation was as a result of a number of security lapses under their tenure and the pressure mounted on the government for their sack.
In a related development, there is expected to be a drastic change in the chain of the country's military command following the appointment of new service chiefs.
As a result of this, about 47 generals have reportedly been pencilled for retirement. This was in line with the tradition whenever there was a change of leadership in the military.
Those expected to depart include 16 Air Vice Marshals, 11 Rear Admirals and 20 Major Generals. Specifically, senior officers of courses 34, 35 and 36 are expected to automatically retire to pave way for younger officers.
Source: Legit.ng
