Farouk Yahaya: President Buhari Appoints New Chief of Army Staff
- Major Gen Farouk Yahaya has been appointed as new Chief of Army Staff by President Buhari
- Yahaya's appointment comes days after the death of ex-COAS Ibrahim Attahiru in a plane crash
- Until his appointment as COAS, Yahaya was the GOC 1 Division of the Nigerian Army
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President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.
This was disclosed in a brief statement released by the Defence Headquarters and sighted by Legit.ng on Thursday afternoon, May 27.
Source: Twitter
Prior to his appointment, Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.
Attahiru dies in plane crash
Legit.ng notes that Yahaya's appointment as the Army chief was necessitated by the demise of the occupant of the office, Ibrahim Attahiru.
Attahiru and 10 other officers died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21.
The sad incident left many Nigerians in shock as the late COAS had only spent a few months in office.
Nigerians react
Major General Yahaya's appointment as the new Army chief has been drawing reactions from Nigerians on social media. Below are some of them:
Chrix Ativie said:
"Is there no Calabar, Ibo, Edo or Isoko man that can handle that position again?
"Man know man♂️♂️♂️"
Bisong Obi said:
"Nepotism is such a heartless and wicked evil to bear. What has they gained from all northern service chiefs?"
Ogaram Chibuzor James said:
"It's well with this Nation...COAS is now the northern birthright."
Philemon Onyemaechi said:
"Another northerner again ,you are doing well for united Nigeria Mr presido."
Philip King Emmy said:
"I hope we are learning very well from Buhari should in case of tomorrow for any incoming leader."
Idris Ibrahim said:
"Hmmmm to whom much is given much is expected therefore be vigilant."
Chinonso Confidence said:
"We are not surprise about it at all ,but it would have been a surprise if he had appointed some else from the other side of the country."
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Attahiru, others buried
Meanwhile, Attahiru and the other officers who died in the plane crash have been laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on Saturday, May 22.
Honour guards performed the 21-gun salute for the late COAS at the graveside.
A live video from the burial ceremony of the deceased heroes was posted on the Facebook page of the Nigerian Army.
In other news, the acting vice-chancellor of the University of Ibadan, Prof. Adebola Ekanola, has commiserated with President Buhari over the death of Brig. General Olatunji Olayinka, who also died in the Kaduna plane crash on Friday, May 21.
Legit.ng's regional reporter in Ibadan, Ridwan Kolawole, reports that Late Brigadier General Olayinka, 51, who hailed from Ikorodu, Lagos state, was an MPhil/Ph.D. student in the department of peace, security and humanitarian studies, faculty of multidisciplinary studies, University of Ibadan.
The institution's director of public communication, Olatunji Oladejo, said the acting VC described Brig. General Olayinka as a highly cerebral, diligent, disciplined and focused officer, who was interested in using strategic studies to address security challenges in Nigeria.
Source: Legit.ng
