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Tag: COAS

  • Drama as COAS refuses to apologise to lawmakers, says ‘my predecessors, not me should answer questions on arms purchase’

    Drama as COAS refuses to apologise to lawmakers, says ‘my predecessors, not me should answer questions on arms purchase’

    There was some tension between the House of Representatives ad-hoc committee on arms and ammunition, and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru following the investigation into arms purchase by the military.

    Things took a different turn when the Chief of Army Staff, refused to speak further on a document which he had presented to the committee, asking the committee instead to review the documents which he considered self-explanatory.

    The Chief of Army Staff insisted that he had barely settled into office and is definitely not the right person to speak on arms and ammunition purchased by his predecessors.

    “The submission before you speaks to the report before you. It is an executive summary. It is very self-explanatory to the extent that it has been pluralised. When you demanded this report, you stated a specific period for which you wanted it.

    “You may wish to recall that the Chief of Army Staff took over the mantle of leadership barely two months ago.

    “The period for which you want this report having been summarised in the executive summary explained whatever details you require.

    “Issues of arms procurement that you so demand to know were done by specific individuals, I will rather you call these individuals to explain to you very specific issues the general explanation is contained in this report,” the COAS told the lawmakers.

    Meanwhile, a member of the committee from Delta State, Ejiro Ogene, had earlier during the proceedings frowned at the COAS explanation for not appearing before the committee.

    According to him, the National Assembly is the House of the Nigerian people and everybody in public office works for Nigerians adding that the House speaks for the people.

    “When we ask you to come, the people are the ones speaking, sovereignty lies in the people; if we see it like this, things will be different.

    “I expect that the COAS tenders an apology, not an explanation; you are serving the people and they are as your employer,” he said.

    The COAS in response said his explanation serves as an apology.

    “When you say I offered an explanation, it is as good as an apology. It only tells you the reasons why I wasn’t here and the reasons are pungent enough,” COAS told the lawmakers.

    However, as tensions were rising, Chairman of the Committee, Olaide Akinremi ruled that the hearing goes into a closed-door meeting and the media were asked to leave the hearing.

    The committee is reviewing the purchase, use, and control of arms, ammunition, and related hardware by the military, paramilitary, and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria.

  • Insurgency: Few days after aggrieved soldiers protest, COAS orders purchase of spare parts, repair of faulty equipment

    Insurgency: Few days after aggrieved soldiers protest, COAS orders purchase of spare parts, repair of faulty equipment

    The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru has ordered the immediate purchase of spare parts and repairs of damaged equipment to better the fight against insurgency in the country.

    The Army chief also admitted that the the military is facing logistics constraints affecting its operations across the country.

    He stated this on Monday in his opening remarks at the combined COAS First Quarter Conference and Nigerian Army Operations Retreat 2021 held at Army Headquarters Command Officers’ Mess in Abuja.

    Attahiru, however, noted that the President has pledged to continue to support the Nigerian Army, adding that they would soon receive combat enablers to enhance and boost their operations.

    According to him, a concerted effort is being made to eliminate the threat of Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) that has been a major impediment to troops and their operations in Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “Again, in order to increase our operational capabilities, I have approved the purchase of spare parts and directed that all damaged and unserviceable equipment in the theatre be backloaded for immediate repairs.

    “I want to assure you that I am determined in rebuilding the fighting skills, capacity, confidence, and morale of our troops across the various theatres of operations,” the army chief said.

    He added, “In order to achieve this, my top priorities for the second and third quarters of the year would be training – I will ensure that through functional training, officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army are equipped with the right competencies and skills to effectively undertake daring missions in addition to developing special operations forces.”

    Attahiru explained that this would be closely followed by procurement that would ensure appropriate kitting and provision of protective gear, weapons, equipment, and platforms.

    He highlighted administration as a key principle of war, saying the welfare of troops would also be given paramount attention.

    The army chief, however, asked the senior officers at the event to ensure the sustenance and maintenance of all equipment and put measures in place for sound administration of troops and their families.

    He said, “I want to state that the Nigerian Army under my watch will remain resolute in decisively dealing with any threat confronting the country.

    “Hence, I have directed that serious attention must be given to sustaining and improving the tempo in all ongoing Nigerian Army operations across the country.”

    “Commanders must, therefore, glean from my command philosophy to ensure that operational and administrative proficiencies of Nigerian Army formations and units are sustained and improved upon,” Attahiru added.

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that soldiers of an unidentified battalion in Operation Lafiya Dole last week protested their posting to a location in the Theatre of Operation.

    The aggrieved soldiers, according to sources at the Maimalari barracks besieged the headquarters of the Theatre Command in Borno State, shooting sporadically into the air on Thursday night following their deployment.

    They cited non-payment of allowances and poor equipment as reasons for their rebellion.

    Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army dismissed the reports saying it was unsubstantiated and did not represent the true situation of the incidents.

  • Arms deal: We have records of all procurements and diversions of funds – Reps

    Arms deal: We have records of all procurements and diversions of funds – Reps

    …vow to unearth funds diverted

    The army may have swallowed more than it can chew as members of the ad-hoc committee probing arms purchases from 2016 till date declare that all the procurements details are in their domain to unravel the several diversions allegedly made.

    The probe of arms deal between 2016 till date may snowball into an earth shaking revelations as Reps vow to unearth all illegal diversions.

    In this report, TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) checks reveal that most of the military services are deliberately avoiding the reps panel investigating the matter.

    TNG checks revealed that of all the military and paramilitary bodies only three actually showed interest in disclosing procurements of arms and hardware purchased between 2016 till date.

    A source privy to this development told TNG that “the Defence headquarters, civil defense and the ministry of interior showed interest so far.

    “The Office of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS till now has not written to the committee on why it failed to honor our invitation.

    “The Air Force politely wrote to inform us to give them an extension to gather more details on all the information we requested for.

    “Civil Defense and its supervisory ministry, Ministry of Interior are co-operative and willing to work with us.

    “As at Monday when we had our investigative hearing, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) that disbursed the funds refused to turn up.

    “We already have enough details of all purchases made since 2016 that $1bn was removed from the Crude Oil Excess Account endorsed by both PDP and APC governors to combat insecurity in Nigeria”.

    Another lawmaker who also spoke under the condition of anonymity told TNG: “we only want them to explain how the purchases were made and we will now know where to beam our searchlight.

    “What are we asking for? Come and tell us how much we have paid for the purchase of arms; we have given you the right to fair hearing.

    “Are you hiding anything? We will not allow it, if there is something you are hiding because you are CBN, we will not allow it.

    “People are killed everyday, I want to move a motion because we do not have time; we come here everyday, sit for hours and wait for a government agency”.

    At the hearing, Hon Samson Okwu, Benue Reps PDP caucus leader had made it clear that: “new appointment or not the service chiefs have no excuse not to show up to defend what they received.

    “They were all theatre commanders at one time or the other so they have no excuse not to tell us what they got and how it was spent”.

    In a bid to get to the bottom of the matter, the COAS, CBN were summoned by the panel.

  • Insecurity: Explain how weapons for military, police end up with bandits, Reps query COAS, CBN Governor

    Insecurity: Explain how weapons for military, police end up with bandits, Reps query COAS, CBN Governor

    Members of the House of Representatives have asked the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major-General Ibrahim Attahiru, to explain how weapons purchased for the military and police end up in the hands of bandits and miscreants.

    The House ad-hoc committee on the need to review the purchase, use and control of arms, ammunition and related hardware by military, paramilitary and other law enforcement agencies in Nigeria sat yesterday.

    Invited to face the committee on the issue were Attahiru and the governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Godwin Emefiele.

    Attahiru sent a representative, Major General C. Ofuche, but this was rejected by members of the committee led by Prince Olaide Akinremi from Oyo State.

    Members of the committee said the issue was a serious and sensitive one and needed the COAS to address them in person.

    Rep Ibrahim Al-Mustapha Aliyu from Sokoto State said Attahiru had to appear in person to explain how weapons bought for the military and police ended up in the hands of bandits.

    “You can bear witness to the fact that Nigeria is embroiled in serious security issues and year in year out appropriations were made and huge sums expended on procurement of arms and ammunition and yet in the whole of the whole of the arrests made you find these arms and ammunition with some of these bandits and miscreants.

    “Some of them can be traced back to the very military or police. It is a serious issue and the National Assembly is well positioned to dig deep into the root of this issue and find solutions.

    “As moved by my colleague there is need for a motion to allow the COAS come and make his submissions personally to this committee.

    “In line with the position of the previous speakers, I want to reiterate that this is a very serious and sensitive security matter.

    ‘At least let us see the man. Being that this is the first meeting with the Nigerian Army, the accounting officer of the Army should have appeared to give us his account, his position as far as the communications made to him.

    “For the chairman and secretariat there is no communication before that the COAS is having another schedule that may not allow him to be physically present here. That is a contravention to section 88, section 89 subsection 1, and of course section one of the Armed Forces Act 1994. So we are not witch-hunting but telling you what the law says,” he said.

    Other representatives, including Kabiru Idris (Kano), Bede Eke (Imo), and Ifeanyi Chudy Momah (Anambra), who spoke insisted that the COAS must appear before them physically.

    They noted that there was no official communication to the committee on why he could not make it.

    Major General Ofuche apologised on behalf of the COAS, saying: “He should have been here today and all indication to that was already in motion, but for several trips.

    “If you watched the TV yesterday, he was at Ibadan and Enugu all for the same security needs. The country is embroiled in a lot of crisis so they are moving around and he thought he could make it down here this morning for this meeting and so the notice was quite short for me to come and represent him because he would have loved to do it personally, and that is why there is no written note,” he said.

  • Major shake-up in Army as COAS approves appointment, redeployment of over 100 generals

    Major shake-up in Army as COAS approves appointment, redeployment of over 100 generals

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has approved appointment of new General Officers Commanding (GOCs), Principal Staff Officers, commandants of military institutions and corps commanders of units and formations of Nigerian Army.

    The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Saturday, said the appointment/redeployment was a normal routine aimed at re-invigorating the system.

    Yerima said that all the postings and appointments would take effect from March 10, Attahiru urged the new appointees to carry out their responsibilities in the most professional manner and with absolute loyalty to the commander-in-chief and in defence of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    The major highlights of the postings and appointments according to Yerima, include the appointment of Maj.-Gen. A.A Maikobi, as Commander, Training and Doctrine Command.

    He said that Maj.-Gen. D.C Onyemulu would move from Armed Forces Simulation Centre to Special Task Force (Operation SAFE HAVEN) as Commander, while Maj.-Gen. S.A Yaro becomes the Commandant of Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).

    Yerima also disclosed that Maj.-Gen. L.A Adegboye as appointed Chief of Defence Training and Operations while Maj.-Gen. O.I Uzamere becomes the Commander, Infantry Corps Centre.

    He said that Maj.-Gen. Francis Azinta was appointed the Chief of Training (Army), Maj.-Gen. J.B Olawumi was appointed Chief of Defence Logistics and Maj.-Gen. C.C Ude becomes the Commander, Nigerian Army Training Centre.

    According to him, Maj.-Gen. G. Oyefesobi moves to Headquarters Command Army Records and appointed Commander, while Maj.-Gen. B.M Shafa becomes the Chief of Transformation and Innovation (Army).

    “Maj.-Gen. K.A.K Isiyaku moves from Defence Headquarters Garrison to Headquarters Nigerian Army Corps of Artillery and appointed Corps Commander Artillery.

    “Maj.-Gen. M O Uzoh moves from Nigerian Army Resource Centre to Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria and appointed Director General while Maj.-Gen. AM Aliyu was appointed Chief of Administration (Army).

    “Maj.-Gen. C.C Okonkwo moves from Special Tasks Force (Operations SAFE HAVEN) to Nigerian Army Welfare Ltd. by Guarantee as Group Managing Director, while Maj.-Gen. J.J Ogunlade becomes the Force Commander, Multinational Joint Tasks Force (MNJTF),” he said.

    Other major appointments according to Yerima include the appointment of Maj.-Gen. A.A Jidda as Chief of Logistics (Army), Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Yusuf from MNJTF to Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations as Chief of Operations.

    He said that Maj.-Gen. A B Omozoje was appointed Chief of Civil-Military Affairs, while Maj.-Gen. E.N Njoku was appointed Chief of Defence Communications; and Maj.-Gen. B.A Isandu was redeployed to Defence Intelligence Agency as Director of Operations.

    According to him, Maj.-Gen. A.M Alabi was appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army Ordnance School; Maj.-Gen. A.A Adesope appointed Chief of Account and Budget (Army); Maj.-Gen. K.I Mukhtar appointed Commandant, Nigerian Army School of Infantry and Maj.-Gen. D.H Ali-Keffi, appointed General Officer Commanding 1 Division.

    “Maj.-Gen. T A Lagbaja moves to Headquarters 82 Division as General Officer Commanding, Maj.-Gen. S Dahiru was appointed Commander, Army Headquarters Garrison while Maj.-Gen. U A Yusuf was appointed General Officer Commanding 8 Division.

    “Maj.-Gen. L.A Fejokwu from Army Headquarters Department of Administration to Headquarters 81 Division as General Officer Commanding and Maj.-Gen. A.B Ibrahim appointed Commandant, Depot Nigerian Army.

    “Maj.-Gen. J.O Ochai moves from Defence Headquarters to Army Headquarters Department of Army Operations as Director of Operations while Maj.-Gen. G.G Chibuisi moves to Headquarters, 2 Division as General Officer Commanding and Maj.-Gen. S.G Mohammed moves to Headquarters 6 Division as General Officer Commanding,” he said.

    Yerima further announced that Brig.-Gen. I.A Doma was appointed Managing Director, Nigerian Army Properties Ltd. while Brig.-Gen. A Adamu was appointed Commander, Nigerian Army Cyber Warfare Command and Brig.-Gen. V Ebhaleme was appointed Acting Director, Peace Keeping Operations, among others.

    “While wishing the newly posted senior officers well in their respective formations/units the Chief of Army Staff urges them to carry out their responsibilities in the most professional manner and absolute loyalty to the commander- in -chief and in defence of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” he said.

    Senior officers asked to put in papers for voluntary retirement

    Meanwhile, investigations by TheNewsGuru.com, TNG showed that some senior officers (on this same or higher level to the new Service Chiefs) were asked to turn in their letter of voluntary retirement from service.

    According to information gathered by TNG from top Military sources, Maj. Gen. Attahiru upon assumption of duties early this year mandated 16 Major Generals (who were his course mates) to put in their papers for voluntary retirement, effective Sunday, February 28.

    According to the source, the request for voluntary retirement from serving senior officers did not stop at the Army. It extended to the other two service arms; Navy and Air Force.

    The Military source in a bare it all interview with TNG said: “Towards the end of last week all Course 35 officers of the Nigerian Army still in service (16 Major Generals) who are course mates of the new Chief of Army Staff (he is NDA Regular Course 35 too) were asked to put in their papers for voluntary retirement with effect from Sunday, February 28. Same with all course 35 officers of the Air Force, where the new Chief of Air Staff is also NDA regular Course 35”.

    “In the Navy, the shake up was more seismic because the new Cheif of Navy Staff is Course 36, all Course 35 (understandably) and 36 officers were told to put in their papers. Before now the tradition had been for the seniors of newly appointed Service Chiefs of the three services to go on voluntary retirement, especially if they cannot be accommodated at Defense Headquarters (DHQ) where the Chief of Defense Staff is their senior and they can serve under him in line with military tradition. However, asking course mates to go is novel. Prior to now, where a new Service Chief has issues with some of his course mates (maybe you competed for the exalted office of Service Chief together and there is bad blood between you and such course mates), and you know you cannot work with such officers, the new Service Chief asks that they be posted to DHQ.

    But he goes on working with course mates that he has no issues with. What happened last week is dramatically different. Now, all d course mates of d three Service Chiefs have been forced out. In fact, they left on February 28.

    The excuse the Course 35 officers of the Nigerian Army and Air Force were given was that they are senior to one of the Service Chiefs i.e. the CNS, who is Course 36, and under the new dispensation they don’t want any officer senior to a Service Chief, regardless of the service they belong to, to remain in service.”

  • COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    COAS gives troops 48-Hour ultimatum to clear Boko Haram remnants in four Borno communities

    The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru has given a 48-hour marching order for the clearance of Marte and three other communities in Borno state.

    Attahiru gave the order in Dikwa Local Government, the headquarters of the Super Camp 9 Operation Lafiya Dole.

    “In the last few days we have had attacks in your Area of Responsibility: it is now high time we get back and fight through and support our forces ahead of you. Areas around Marte, Chukungudu, Krenoa and Kirta Wulgo must be cleared in the next 48 hours,” he said.

    “You can rest assured of all the support required in this very onerous task. I have just spoken to your Theatre Commander, General Officer Commanding, you cannot let this nation down. Go there and do the needful and I will be right behind you. Ensure you do your job, and do your job well.

    “They have presented certain issues that came up, sooner rather than later we would address; where there are no adequate A and B vehicles we would provide with these few remarks. I wish you well on the operation and I know the morale is high.”

    TheNewsGuru.com, TNG reports that the COAS’ visit is sequeĺ to attacks in the next town, Marte which filters to Dikwa causing panic among civilians.

    Normalcy has since been restored in Dikwa and the army chief has addressed the people, seeking their cooperation and support.

    Attahiru directed the immediate clearance operations in Marte and other towns harbouring insurgents in the Super camp 9 Area of responsibility.

    The order comes 24 hours after insurgents believed to be members of Boko Haram hoisted their flag in parts of Marte local government in Borno State, according to military sources.

    The insurgents repeatedly attacked the local government within the week.

    On Friday, the insurgents attacked neighbouring Dikwa local government.

    But they were repelled by a combined effort of the air component and ground forces of Operation Lafiya Dole in a battle that lasted hours, sources said.

  • COAS, Buratai warns against politicization of security, says Nigeria’s unity non-negotiable

    COAS, Buratai warns against politicization of security, says Nigeria’s unity non-negotiable

    The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai has strongly warned those individuals who are unnecessarily politicizing security-related issues in the country for undue political gains to henceforth refrain from doing so.
    General Buratai gave the warning when he paid an operational visit to troops of Exercise Harbin Kunama III at 1 Division Super Camp Kuyelo at Kuyelo district, in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State on Monday.
    Acting Director Army Public Relations Col. Sagir Musa who stated this in a Press Release signed and made available to Journalists said the Lieutenant General emphasized that the security and unity of the country are non-negotiable.
    He therefore cautioned all those playing politics with the Security issues of our country to have a rethink as the Nigerian Army will continue to remain firm and decisive in combatting all threats to the security and unity of the nation towards the continuous provision of an enabling environment for peace, national security, and national development at large.
    Lieutenant General, Burrata used the opportunity to inspect troops tactical deployments and later addressed the soldiers and enjoined them to be ruthless and decisive in dealing with the bandits.
    Col Musa said General Buratai observed that the security situation in the country as a whole has greatly improved, and commended them for the commitment and sacrifice which they have continued to demonstrate in the discharge of their constitutional roles to their fatherland.
    He said: “General Buratai noted that owing to such commitments and sacrifices by them as well as their colleagues in the North East, armed Bandits in the North West and Boko Haram terrorists in the North East have been technically defeated.”
    COAS, therefore, urged the troops not to relent or become complacent until all the remaining bandits and other criminal elements are completely eliminated from our communities.
    However Col Musa said Kuyelo Super Camp is one of such Camps established recently by the Nigerian Army across the North West region which is similar with one established in the North-east zone to deal decisively with the menace of cattle rustling, kidnapping, armed banditry and other acts of criminality being perpetrated by armed bandits, Boko Haram and other criminal elements within the regions.
    He said that during the visit 1 Division Garrison Commander Brig Gen OJ Akpor briefing the Chief of Army Staff on the operational activities and successes recorded achieved so far since the establishment of the camp include the neutralization of several bandits during engagements with own troops, the recovery of assorted automatic weapons from the bandits, the recovery of several rustled cows, the rescue of 20 kidnap victims, amongst others.
    Akpor said the Troops also conduct medical outreaches aimed at winning the hearts and minds of the local populace with a view to garnering their support especially in the area of volunteering useful information required for the successful conduct of the operations.
    “It was clear from the Commander’s briefing that no major acts of banditry have been recorded recently, that the security situation in the general area has greatly improved and that the locals, especially farmers are now going about their businesses without lets or hindrances owing to the operational activities of troops of the Super Camp.
    Col Musa said also General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Maj Gen F Yahaya has given some clarifications on the current and projected operational activities of his Division at large especially with regards to the conduct of anti-banditry operations.
    Maj General Yahaya thanked the COAS for providing adequate operational and logistics requirements to effectively execute its roles of combating banditry, cattle rustling, kidnapping and other associated insecurities across his Divisions area of operation.

  • We need 4,300L of aviation fuel every hour to effectively combat Boko Haram – COAS

    From Jonas Ike, Abuja

    Chief of Air Staff Air Vice Marshall Sadique Abubakar has said that the Nigeria Air Force needs 4,300 liters if aviation fuel Jet A1 to operate the fleet of jets in the Air Force every hour due to the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the north-east region of Nigeria.
    The Air Chief made the disclosure on Monday in Abuja at the House of Representatives wing, National Assembly during the presentation of and defence of the 2019 budget of the Air Force to the House Committee on Air Force.
    He told the Committee that in order to tackle the numerous security challenges facing the nation particularly Book Haram insurgency in the north-eastern part of the country there is the need for the Air Force to be adequately funded by the government.
    According to the Air Chief, a total of 4,300 liters of Jet A1 fuel is needed every hour by the Air Force personnel fighting insurgency in the northeast to power their aircrafts.
    He therefore appealed to the Committee to look out for ways of generating additional funds for the Air Force adding that funding has always been a major challenge to the Force.

  • Buhari mourns former Chief of Army Staff

    President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of a former Chief of Army Staff, retired Maj.-Gen. David Ejoor.

    Buhari, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Monday, extended heartfelt commiserations to the Ejoor family and the Urhobo nation.

    The president also commiserated with the government and people of Delta on the demise of the elder statesman and courageous officer, who had “a distinguished career in the military and remarkable service to the nation.’’

    He described late Ejoor, who was the first Governor of Mid-Western Region, “during one of the darkest years in the nation’s history’’, as a hardworking military officer whose loyalty, commitment and dedication to the unity of the country were never in doubt’’.

    The president affirmed that the former army chief, who was once the President-General of the Urhobo Progress Union, would be long remembered and honoured as a man of positive character and vision.

    He acknowledged that Ejoor, who was the first indigenous Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy, had inspired countless military officers and Nigerians that came in close contact with him.

    The President prayed almighty God to repose the soul of the departed senior citizen and comfort all who mourned the much respected octogenarian.

     

  • Breaking: Retired Major-General David Ejoor is dead

    Major-General David Ejoor, who once served as Governor of Mid-Western State of Nigeria, is dead.

    Until his passing, he was a retired Nigerian Army officer who served as Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

    He was the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was once administrator of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region.

    Ejoor was Governor of the Mid-Western State of Nigeria, during the Biafra Civil War.

    Born January 10th 1932 in Ovu, Delta State, Ejoor served as Governor of Midwest state from January 1966 to August 1967.

    He then served as Chief of Army Staff from January 1971 to July 1975.

    Major-General Ejoor was the oldest and most senior Nigerian Military Officer alive.

    Commissioned in 1953 as a Second-Lieutenant, his army number is NA17 after Lieutenant-Colonel Victor Banjo (NA16).

    He was the first Nigerian Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy and was the first military governor of the now-defunct Mid-Western Region.

    As Lieutenant-Colonel, Ejoor escaped death during the January coup of 1966 and took an active part in quashing the coup first in Lagos and then in Enugu where he was the Commanding Officer, 1st Battalion, Enugu.

    Ejoor is the first Urhobo man to join the army. He was acting President General of Urhobo Progress Union (UPU) from 1998 to 1999.

    He was retired compulsorily by General Murtala Mohammed, after the latter had become Head-of-State, with the rank of Major-General on July 29, 1975.