A career earthquake is imminent in the Nigerian Army following the appointment, on Thursday by President Muhammadu Buhari, of Major-General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff (CAOS). Yahaya, until his appointment was Theatre Commander, Operation HADIN KAI, and replaces Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a NAF plane crash in Kaduna State along with 10 senior officers and crew members last Friday.

Yahaya, 55 years old and a native of Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State, was granted regular combatant commission as a member of Nigeria Army 37 regular course on September 22, 1990 in the rank of Second Lieutenant with seniority in the same rank effective September 27, 1985.

What this means is that – in keeping with military tradition – all his seniors (meaning officers of 35 Regular Course, 36 Regular Course and Yahaya’s Course-mates of 37 Regular Course) will have to leave the service as they cannot serve under their junior.

Reports put the number of army officers to be affected at about 45 Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals.

However, the new Army Chief has the right to retain two of his course mates and appoint them Chief of Policy and Plans and Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), respectively.

ADaily Sunreport said that “already most of the affected officers are beginning to put in their retirement letters notifying the authorities of their decision to retire voluntarily from the army.”

“It was also gathered that beginning today, Friday May, 28, all the affected officers would stop going to work,” the report said, adding: “It was learnt that those who do not send in their retirement letters, would be issued with a notice of retirement from service.”