DIKE, OTHER CHIEFS REMOVED

In one fell swoop, President Goodluck Jonathan retired the Chief of Defence Staff and heads of the Army, the Air Force and the Navy. The Inspector-General of Police and the Director-General of the State Security Services (SSS) were also relieved of their jobs.

Those affected are Air Marshal Paul Dike, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Air Marshal Oluseyi Petirin, Vice Admiral Ishaya Ibrahim, Inspector-General Ogbonna Onovo and Afakriya Gadzama. Air Marshal Petirin not only escaped retirement, he replaces Air Marshal Paul Dike as the Chief of Defence Staff.

Major-General Onyeabo Azubike Ihejirika is Chief of Army Staff. Rear Admiral O.S. Ibrahim is Chief of Naval Staff. Air Vice Marshal M.D. Umar is Chief of Air Staff. Assistant Inspector-General Hafiz Ringim, who was the AIG in charge of Zone 9 in Umuahia, becomes the Inspector-General of Police. Mr. Ita Ekpeyong is Director-General of the SSS. The appointments have since taken effect.

Niboro said the President thanked the erstwhile Service Chiefs "whose tenure expired in August", for their loyalty and dedication to the service of the nation. The statement added that President Jonathan "especially commended them for defending the Nigerian constitution at all times and for the successful command of the armed forces during their tenure". The tenure issue by Niboro clarifies the interpretations in many quarters that the Chiefs were suddenly sacked - their concluded terms weren't just renewed.

Meanwhile, the appointment of Gen. Ihejirika marks the first time since 1965 when a Southeasterner has been appointed to head the Nigerian Army. The last South easterner to head the Army was General Johnson Thomas Umunnakwe Aguiyi-Ironsi, who became the first Nigerian Military Head of State after the 1966 coup.