Acting-Director-Army-Public-Relations-Col_-Sani-Usman-

Nigerian Army said on Sunday evening that contrary to the figures being speculated in the media, only 38 officers were involved in the recent compulsory retirement carried out by the service.

Colonel Sani Usman, Acting Director, Army Public Relations who announced this in a statement gave the category of officials involved in the purge as nine Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, 7 Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels and a Major.

He also defended the retirement of the officers, noting that it was done in line with the law guiding the Nigerian Army in the statement obviously issued to correct rife speculations that the military officers sent home were only those from the southern part of the country.

Here is Colonel Usman full statement: “The attention of the.Nigerian Army has been drawn to speculations 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.”.