After several months of intense pressure, President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday relieved the nation’s military service chiefs of their positions. He also immediately announced their replacement.
The New Diplomat’s Hamilton Nwosa,(Head, The New Diplomat’s Polling, Research & Data desk) profiles the new service chiefs that have been named by President Buhari.
Major- General Leo Irabor (Chief of Defence Staff)
Major-General Leo Irabor who hails from Delta State was a member of the Regular Course 39 of the NDA. In the course of his career, he has served as a Commander Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, Minna.
Similarly, Major General Irabor was appointed as Chief of Training and Operations (CTOP) Defence Headquarters and thereafter assumed the role the theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole. He is regarded as a brilliant senior military officer.
Also, Major-General Irabor was lead of the Multi National Joint Task Force (MNJTF) as the Field Commander. A trained Engineer, Major-General Irabor was at a time the Chief of Staff to the Chief of Army Staff·
Major General I. Attahiru (Chief of Army Staff)
Major- General Ibrahim Attahiru, until his present appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, had served as the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army. He is regarded as a brilliant senior military officer, and those who know him spoke highly of him as outstanding.
In the course of his distinguished military career, Major-General Attahiru Ibrahim was named as the substantive leader of the offensive against Boko Haram in the North-East in May 2017. Thereafter, he was subsequently redeployed by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai to oversee other military roles.
Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo (Chief of Naval Staff)
Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo who hails from Kano State joined the Nigerian Navy on 24 Sep 1984 as a member of Regular Course 36 and was consequently commissioned a Sub-Lieutenant.
Various accounts say Rear Admiral Gambo is an Underwater Warfare specialist with a strong sub-specialisation in Intelligence. Rear Admiral Gambo has in the course of his career attended several military courses including Sub-Technical course and Officers Long course both at NNS QUORRA.
According to reports, rear Admiral Gambo also attended Junior Division 48/89 and Senior Course 26 both at AFCSC Jaji. He equally attended are the National Defence Course at the South African National Defence College.
Prior to his new role, Rear Admiral Gambo was the Director of Procurement at the Defence Space Administration.
AVM Isiaka Amao (Chief of Air Staff)
Air Vice Marshal Isiaka Amao, was born on 14 September 1965 in present day Enugu state. AVM Amao who is from Osun State joined the Nigerian Airforce, and subsequently got enlisted into the Nigerian Air Force on January 19, 1984 as a member of the 35 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy(NDA).
Prior to his present role, AVM Amao has served as as Trainee/Squadron Pilot, NAF Unit 99 ACTG Kainji (1993-2004), Instructor Pilot/Squadron Pilot, 301 FTS Kaduna (2004-2007), Air Assistance to Chief of Air Staff, Deputy Defence Adviser, Nigerian High Commission London, Assistant Director of Operation Defence Headquarters, Director of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Air Force.
He was the Commandant Armed Forces Resettlement Centre Lagos before he was named as the Chief of Air Staff by the President Buhari on Tuesday.
