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Why Buhari Appointed Gen Yahaya As Army Chief

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Go After Insurgents, Bandits, Other Crmininals - APC Tells News COAS
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President Muhammadu Buhari, last Thursday appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff to replace Ibrahim Attahiru who died in a plane crash.

Yahaya before his appointment was the immediate-past Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai.

The appointment of Yahaya was questioned by some quarters with critics arguing that Buhari should have considered a Southerner for the position.

The government in its reaction noted that appointment in the security sector is not done based on sentiments.

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Following Yahaya’s appointment,  twenty-four Major Generals are expected to retire from the Nigerian Army soon.

Thirteen of the Generals were from the North and 11 from the South, were above Yahaya before his elevation.

A top retired military officer that spoke with PRNigeria noted that the Presidency picked the COAS because he is of the elite infantry corps, the combat and operation division of the Army.

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“The Nigerian Army, as a multidisciplinary arm, has some Major Generals that are senior to Faruk Yahaya but are neither from combat nor in the combat supporting corps known as fighting arms.

“In terms of military operation, officers from the infantry, armour, and artillery are usually knowledgeable and skilful in counter-insurgency operations. Others from intelligence, signals, police and engineering provide supporting roles.

“The roles of Major Generals in the administrative and general corps such as Public Relations, Education, Medical and Chaplaincy among others do not include combat operations,” he said.

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