COAS Farouk Yahaya Reveals He Joined Army 36 Years Ago, A Year Above Mandatory Retirement

The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya, has disclosed to the House of Representatives Committee on Defence and Army that he joined the military 36 years ago.

This was a year above the mandatory retirement period in public service. The army boss disclosed this during his screening by the lawmakers.

The minimum age for enlisting into the Nigeria Armed Forces is 18 for voluntary service and the individual is expected to retire from service at 55 or after putting in 35 years of service, according to the Federal Civil Service Rules.

This year, the new Army Chief turned 55 and had put in 36 years into the service of the Nigerian Army.

Speaking during his appearance before the joint committee of the House for his confirmation as the new Chief of Army Staff, Yahaya said he was coming on board with 36 years experience and loads of experience from his various service units.

Yahaya, a member of Course 37 at the Nigeria Defence Academy however assured that when confirmed, he would have a very close working relationship with other service chiefs whom he said he had worked with in the same mission in the past, with a special nickname they often called themselves.

He said; “I joined the military 36 years ago. So I bring along with me 36 years of military experience, having joined the Army in September 1985 as a member of course 37 at the NDA. I have had experience commensurate with my career. So, I’m abreast with the security requirements of Abuja, and so on.

“I have been involved in several security operations. The challenges we are facing now, all are characterized by the areas I mentioned, where I have firsthand information and have commanded troops and I administered them in achieving what we’ve done.

“I believe I have the requisite requirements by the grace of God to now provide my services in this office of the chief of Army Staff if confirmed. What I am bringing is a wealth of experience and commitment. So I’m committed and determined to provide my best knowing what is required to achieve results.

“Security is everybody’s business because the job cannot be done by one person. So we need all the support. And with the support of the people, we will win our fight against insecurity.

“From experience, this job cannot be done by any single service or entity. Indeed in the Army, the Army itself is a group work not individual that’s why we arranged in sections and companies and battalions and brigades.

“This job is collective and as it was captured in the vision of the late Chief of Army Staff and in my own mission too. There is also mention of the joint environment in what we do, having realized that this job is not one service’s job.

“Not only that, but it also requires the collaboration of other agencies, services, and stakeholders. We have always operated together. That is why you see the composition of a joint team made of the Army, Navy, Airforce and now including the Police, DSS, and Civil Defense.

“As we know, internal security is an intelligence-driven operation. So we need others, including communities, including traditional rulers, and all others who can provide information. We need to work together.

“At the Defence headquarters level, all the Service Chiefs now we are all mates at the Academy. At one time or the other, all of us work together. So the synergy can’t be anything better now that we’re brought up together, we have trained together.”