Buhari Asks Senate To Confirm Major General Yahaya As New COAS

President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday asked the Nigerian Senate to confirm the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya, as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Buhari, in a letter to the President of the Senate, urged the federal lawmakers to give his request, expeditiously.

Senate President Ahmad Lawan read Buhari’s letter of request at plenary on Tuesday morning.

Yahaya, if confirmed, will replace Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a military plane crash in Kaduna.

Prior to his appointment Major General Yahaya was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counterterrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code-named Operation HADIN KAI.

Yahaya was born in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state. He is married and blessed with children. He belongs to the Regular Course 37.

What Will Happened If Senate Approves Farouk Yahaya As The New Chief Of Army Staff?

Meanwhile, AllNews Nigeria learnt that about 24 senior officers of the Nigerian Army on the rank of Major Generals may have to ‘end’ their careers to accommodate the appointment of Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

The 24 Generals affected by Yahaya’s appointment comprise 13 from the North and 11 from the South, it was gathered.

According to a document showing those who are above the new COAS in terms of seniority as analyzed by PR Nigeria indicated that the North West, the place Faruq hails from, has three Major Generals who are above him, in seniority. They include Major Generals MSA Aliyu, YP Auta, and J Sarham.

The four Generals from the North Central above the new Army Chief are JO Akomolafe, UM Mohammed, NE Angbazo, and Kay Isiyaku.

That of the North East, who are six in number, include Major Generals AS Maikobi, SA Yaro, AT Hamman, AM Aliyu, HPZ Vintenaba, and IM Yusuf.

From the South West, these five Major Generals–JB Olawumi, G Oyefesobi, BM Shafa, BA Akinroluyo, and KO Kadiri–are Faruq’s senior in the Army.

There are Generals CO Ude, MO Uzoh, CC Okonkwo, BI Ahanotu, and OF Azinta, all from the South East, who are above the newly appointed COAS in rank.

Major General HE Ayamasaowei from Bayelsa State is the only Army senior officer from the South-South who is also Faruq’s senior.

The analysis further revealed that there are over 100 officers on the rank of Major General currently in the Nigerian Army.

But explaining the possible reason behind the choice of Yahaya as the new COAS, a retired military officer who spoke to PRNigeria anonymously said it may be because the new COAS belongs to the elite infantry corps that belongs to the combat and operational forces in the Army.

“The Nigerian Army as a multidisciplinary arm has some Major Generals that are above 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 on battlegrounds and counter-insurgency operations.

“Other corps from intelligence, signals, police and engineering provide supporting roles. Some other Major Generals are in the administrative and general corps such as Public Relations, Education, Medical and Chaplaincy among others whose roles do not include combat operations,” he said.