TheNewsGuru

Tag: Chief of Army Staff

  • Chief of Army Staff assures Tinubu of absolute loyalty

    Chief of Army Staff assures Tinubu of absolute loyalty

    The Chief of Army Staff (CAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, has assured President Bola Tinubu of the absolute loyalty of the Nigerian Army to him and the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    Yahaya gave the assurance on Thursday during the inauguration of the newly-constructed ultra modern headquarters of the Nigerian Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) complex in Makurdi, Benue state.

    He assured that the Nigeria Army would at all times remain professional to enable the president achieved his vision of having a safe and secured Nigeria for economic and other social activities to thrive.

    “Be assured of our resolve to confront the security challenges facing the nation,” Yahaya pledged.

    He said he was convinced that the new NASME complex would fulfill the administrative purposes for which it was built in line with the provisions of one of the cardinal pillars of his command.

    “I also believe that this complex will create the right ambience and conducive working environment for the Commandant and staff towards enhancing the administration and training objectives of the institution.

    “This state-of-the-art complex is equipped to host scholars from the academia and research institutions during seminars, workshops, conferences and brainstorming sessions.

    “It will no doubt serve as a platform to showcase new inventions and promote interdisciplinary studies for cross pollination of ideas geared towards proffering engineering solutions to address security challenges in the country,” he said.

    Earlier, the Commander, Corps of Engineers, Maj.-Gen. PE Eromosele, thanked the chief of army staff for approving and making funds available for the construction of the edifice.

  • Army promotes 122 senior officers to Brigadier, Major Generals

    Army promotes 122 senior officers to Brigadier, Major Generals

    The Nigerian Army Council has approved the promotion of senior officers to the ranks of Major General and Brigadier General.

    A statement by Army spokesperson, Brig.- Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Friday, disclosed that a total of 122 senior officers of the ranks of Brigadier General and Colonels were elevated to the next higher rank.

    According to the statement, while a total of 52 Brigadier Generals were meritoriously promoted to the rank of Major General, 70 colonels were also elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.

    The statement read in part: “Amongst those promoted to the rank of Major General are Brigadier Generals AA Ayanuga of the Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, EH Akpan of Theatre Command Operation HADIN KAI, NM Jega of the Defence Headquarters, JO Ugwuoke of the Department of Army Logistics, PAO Okoye of the Department of Army Operations, EF Oyinlola of the Department of Special Services and Programmes, AA Adekeye of 21 Special Armoured Brigade, AE Edet of Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineers, AB Mohammed of Army Headquarters Operations Monitoring Team, and MT Usman of the Headquarters Guards Brigade.

    “Other beneficiaries include Brigadier Generals IM Abdullahi of Headquarters 35 Brigade, AO Agboola of the Department of Army Training, EE Emekah of Nigerian Defence Academy, HE Nzan of Department of Army Standards and Evaluation, LA Lebo of Department of Army Training, UT Otaru of Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport and AU Obiwulu of 1 Base Workshop, amongst others.

    “Some of the colonels elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are, Colonels AO Ajagbe, JO Ogbobe, MG Hammawa, SS Bello, SOG Aremu, NG Mohammed, OI Odigie, CA Osuagwu, MO Eteng and ED Idima amongst others.

    “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya congratulates all the promoted officers and their families. He has also charged them to remain focused, selfless and loyal in their service to the nation to justify the confidence and trust reposed in them by the Commander In Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army and indeed all Nigerians.”

  • BREAKING: Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya sentenced to Minna prison

    BREAKING: Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya sentenced to Minna prison

    The High Court in Minna, Niger State, has issued a warrant of arrest for the Chief of Army Staff, General Faruk Yahaya, for alleged contempt of court.

    The state’s chief judge, Justice Halima Abdulmalik, who gave the order, also issued a warrant of arrest for the Commandant Training and Doctrine Command Minna, Major General Stevenson Olugbenga Olabanji.

    Abdulmalik stated that the order followed the hearing of a case brought before the court, pursuant to Order 42, Rule 10 of the Niger State High Court Civil Procedure 2018.

    Justice Abdulmalik also declared: “The order is commuting the Chief of Army Staff, General Faruk Yahaya and the Commandant Training and Doctrine Command Minna, Major General Stevenson Olugbenga Olabanji, to be kept in Minna Correctional Custody for contentions of the order of this court on 12 October 2022.”

    The Presiding judge adjourned the case to December 8, 2022, for continuation.

  • AIB gives update on aircraft crash that killed ex-Chief of Army Staff

    AIB gives update on aircraft crash that killed ex-Chief of Army Staff

    The Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) on Thursday in Abuja gave an update on the recent Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft crash that killed former Chief of Army Staff, Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Commissioner of AIB, Akin Olateru, giving the update, said the preliminary report on the aircraft crash that happened in Kaduna State would be ready in a week’s time.

    Olateru made the announcement at the release of eight accident reports which covered 2010 and 2019.

    Recall that a Beechcraft 350, belonging to the NAF crashed around the Kaduna International Airport on May 21.

    Gen. Attahiru, then Chief of Army Staff, and 10 other military personnel perished in the crashed helicopter.

    Attahiru was on his way to Kaduna to attend the Passing-Out Parade of army recruits which was scheduled for the following day.

    Olateru, who said AIB had analysed the aircraft’s flight data recorder (FDR) and the cockpit voice recorder (CVR), maintained that only the military has the authority to disclose the content of the preliminary report.

    “Unfortunately, I can’t speak for the military, we don’t have mandate to report outcome of accident or incidence relating to NAF aircraft. Our mandate is limited to civil aviation. Military aviation is different from civil aviation.

    “But we are privileged to be called upon, which to me, will help the civil aspect of the incident because the accident happened at a civil airport.

    “So there are aspects of it we need to look at, the final response of the fire engine, the prevailing weather, what actually happened. What part the ATC play? These are all civil.

    “We cannot determine whether Nigerians will want the preliminary report or all the findings to be published. That is beyond our mandate, it is only Nigerian Air Force that can do that“ he said.

    According to him, despite the paralyzing effects of COVID-19, the bureau had remained committed to its mandate by working all through the pandemic to clear outstanding reports.

    The commissioner said one of the reports was classified as “accident“ while the remaining seven were serious “incidents“.

    He said the bureau had released a total of 69 reports and 220 safety recommendations since its creation in 2007, pointing out that 48 reports and 139 safety recommendations were made under the present administration.

    He added that the eight reports being released were with a total of nine safety recommendations which were addressed to the regulatory body, the affected airlines and the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), among others.

    The commissioner said there were international dimensions to two of the reports which involved a Turkish plane and an Arik Air plane in Accra, Ghana.

    “Reports being released today are Report on serious incident involving a B737-500 aircraft operated by Air Peace Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BRN, which occurred at Port Harcout Airport, Omagwa, Rivers on 22nd June, 2019.

    “Report on the serious incident involving HS-125- 700A aircraft operated by Associated Aviation Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BEX, which occurred at Benin Airport, Edo state, Nigeria on May 10, 2011.

    “Report on the serious incident involving a B737-200 aircraft with nationality and registration marks 5N-BIF owned and operated by Chanchagi Airlines, which occurred at Kaduna Airport, Runway 05, Kaduna State, Nigeria on Aug. 20, 2010.

    “Report on serious incident involving a Bombardier DHC-8-Q400 aircraft owned and operated by Arik Air Nigeria Limited with nationality and registration marks 5N-BKX which occurred en route Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, on March 6, 2018,“ it said.

    Another is a report on the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-500 aircraft operated by Med-View Airline with nationality and registration marks 5N-BQM, which occurred at FL320 en route Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos on July 23, 2019.

    He also mentioned a report on the accident involving a Hawker Siddeley HS-125-800 XP aircraft owned and operated by SWAT Technology Limited with nationality and registration marked N497AG.

    He said it occurred on Runway 21, Port Harcourt Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State on June 11, 2015.

    The commissioner said there was also a report on the serious incident involving an Airbus 330-343 aircraft owned and operated by Turkish Airline Inc. with nationality and registration marks TC-LOL.

    He said it occurred at Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State, Nigeria on Dec. 31, 2019.

    He said there was a report on the serious incident Boeing 737-300 aircraft owned and operated by Air Peace Limited with nationality and registration mark 5N-BUK.

    He said it occurred at the Murtala Muhammed Airport, Lagos, on May 15, 2019.

    “I will enjoin media and interested members of the public to check our website (www.aib.gov.ng) for the details of all the reports,“ he said.

  • BREAKING: Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya assumes command as 22nd COAS [LIVE VIDEO]

    BREAKING: Maj Gen Farouk Yahaya assumes command as 22nd COAS [LIVE VIDEO]

    Major General Farouk Yahaya on Friday has assumed command as Nigeria’s 22nd Chief of Army Staff (COAS) at the army headquarters in Abuja, the federal capital territory (FCT).

     

    MAJOR GENERAL FARUK YAHAYA ASSUMES COMMAND AS THE 22ND CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF AT ARMY HEADQUARTERS, ABUJA.

    Posted by HQ Nigerian Army on Friday, 28 May 2021

    President Muhammadu Buhari had on Thursday approved the appointment of Yahaya following the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru in a place crash on May 21 in Kaduna.

    The new COAS was until his appointment, the Theatre Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, the military counter-insurgency operation in the North East.

    Yahaya had earlier visited the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor before coming to Army Headquarters for the taking over ceremony.

    He was received at AHQ by the Chief of Policy and Plan, Maj.-Gen. Ben Ahanotu, who also briefed him before proceeding to assume office.

    The COAS however asked for a minute silence in honour of the late Attabiru and other officers who died with him, after which he asked journalists to leave the hall for closed door meeting with officers.

    He did not make any make any public statement before departing Army Headquarters.

    The new COAS, was born on Jan. 5, 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

    Gen Yahaya who is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), started his cadet training on Sept. 27, 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on Sept. 22, 1990.

    He held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

    Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS are Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

    He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya).

    He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    Until his appointment as the COAS, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.

    The new COAS is a holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National DefenceCourse (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal.

    He is married and blessed with children.

  • New Chief of Army Staff pays last respect to late Attahiru [PHOTO]

    New Chief of Army Staff pays last respect to late Attahiru [PHOTO]

    Newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Farouk Yahaya has paid last respect to the late former COAS, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Major General Yahaya paid his respect to late Lt Gen Attahiru on Friday after signing the condolence register at HQ Theatre Command of Operation HADIN KAI, Maimalari Cantonment, Maiduguri, Borno State.

    Recall that President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday appointed Major General Yahaya to replace Attahiru, after the former COAS died in an air mishap.

  • Profile of Major General Farouk Yahaya, new Chief of Army Staff

    Profile of Major General Farouk Yahaya, new Chief of Army Staff

    President Muhammadu Buhari on Thursday appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to replace the late former COAS, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports 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 Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.”

    Yahaya was born on 5 January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state and is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990.

    He has held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

    Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS are Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

    He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya). He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    Until his appointment as the COAS, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.

    The new COAS is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National DefenceCourse (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal.

    He is happily married and blessed with children.

  • BREAKING: Buhari appoints Maj Gen Yahaya as new Chief of Army Staff

    BREAKING: Buhari appoints Maj Gen Yahaya as new Chief of Army Staff

    President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as Nigeria’s new Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports President Buhari appointed Major General Yahaya to replace the late former COAS, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru

    The Nigerian Army Headquarters has confirmed the appointment of Major General Yahaya.

    Yahaya’s appointment was confirmed in a statement released by military spokesperson, Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu on Thursday.

    Until his appointment the new COAS was the General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army and the incumbent Theatre Commander of the Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.

    The statement read: “The Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Mohammadu Buhari has appointed Major General Farouk Yahaya as the new Chief of Army Staff.

    “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 Counter terrorism Counter Insurgency military outfit in the North East code named Operation HADIN KAI.”

    TNG reports Yahaya was born on 5 January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state.

    Maj Gen Yahaya who is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990.

    He has held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

    Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS are Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary, Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield.

    He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya). He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

    Until his appointment as the COAS, Maj Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.

    The new COAS is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National DefenceCourse (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal.

    He is happily married and blessed with children.

  • Why Buhari should replace late COAS with an Igbo man – Reno Omokri

    Why Buhari should replace late COAS with an Igbo man – Reno Omokri

    Reno Omokri has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to consider an Igbo military officer to replace the former Chief of Army Staff. Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in the air crash last Friday, May 21.

    According to Omokri, former presidential aide to former President Goodluck Jonathan, the move will help cease the fight of secessionists.

    ”The best way to fight the rise of secessionists in the Southeast is not with guns, bullets and helicopter gunships. Give them development.

    “Stop your nepotism. Be fair and balanced in your appointments. Consider an Igbo man to replace General Attahiru. Abandon the 97% versus 5% mentality. Lose your Igbophobia.

    “Visit each Igbo state (Buhari has not visited Igboland since the 2019 election). Make Igbo monarchs pro-chancellors of federal universities in Northern Nigeria.

    “Genuinely pursue an extra state for the Southeast in the Constitutional Reform process, so they are equal with other geopolitical zones.

    “Encourage a major political party to consider an Igbo Presidential candidate. Embrace Igbos and Igbos will embrace Nigeria,” Omokri stated.

  • Attahiru: Unusual security beef up in Abuja military barracks

    Attahiru: Unusual security beef up in Abuja military barracks

    Barely 24 hours after the crash of a military plane conveying the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and ten officers, killing all on board, there’s unusual military beef in most barracks in the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, the seat of Government in Nigeria.

    A quick survey conducted by TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) clearly indicate that all barracks in Asokoro just behind the Presidential Villa are well guarded.

    At the Army Resource entry to one of the largest barracks in Nigeria, all vehicular objects were properly screened leading to a traffic gridlock on the link bridge.

    In other barracks located on Asokoro, though no traffic but all entry points were properly manned by soldiers.

    Recall that on Friday, a King Air multi-purpose,civility aircraft conveying Nigeria’s top military brass crashed in Kaduna killing all on board.

    This happened barely 24hours after notorious leader of Boko Haram, Shekau in Nigeria was killed by ISWAP.