Maj. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai: new army chief

New service chiefs unveiled, Buratai heads army

Maj. General Yusuf Tukur Buratai: new army chief

President Muhammadu Buhari has promptly announced replacements for the service chiefs sacked this morning.

A statement by President Buhari’s special adviser on media and publicity, Femi Adesina said Major-General Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin is now the new Chief of Defence Staff, while Major-General Tukur Yusuf Buratai is the new Chief of Army Staff.

The duo replaced Alex Badeh and Kenneth Minimah, former CDS and former army chief.

Adesina also unveiled Buhari’s pick for the post of Chief of Naval staff.

He is Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas. He replaces Vice Admiral Usman Jibrin.
Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar is the new Chief of Air Staff, replacing
Adesola Amosu, while Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan is the Chief of
Defence Intelligence.
Major-General Babagana Monguno from Borno state is the National Security
Adviser, succeeding Colonel Sambo Dasuki, who was appointed by former
President Goodluck Jonathan.
The new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen. Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti
State.
Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff today, he was the Head of the
Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.
The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai hails from Borno State. Until his
new appointment today, he was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task
Force which has its headquarters in N’djamena.
Maj-Gen. Buratai has previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd
Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry
in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) hails from Cross River
State.
He enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular
Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983. His previous
appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training
Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding
Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters.
Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer
of Navy Holdings Limited.
The new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar (NAF/1433) hails from
Bauchi State. His previous appointments include: Chief of Standards and
Evaluation, NAF Headquarters; Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer
Commanding, NAF Training Command.
Until his appointment today as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of
Administration, NAF Headquarters.
The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until
confirmed by the Senate.
President Buhari thanked the outgoing Service Chiefs and National Security
Adviser for their services to the nation and wished them well in their future
endeavours.