As expectations continue to rise on the ability of President Muhammadu Buhari administration to deal with security concerns, the Nigeria’s President on Monday announced the appointment of new security chiefs, comprising service chiefs, national security adviser.
One of those appointed, the new Chief of Defence Staff, Maj.-Gen.
Olonishakin (N/6901) hails from Ekiti State in South West Nigeria.
Until his appointment as Chief of Defence Staff Monday, he was the Head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger State.
The new Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Buratai is from the troubled Borno State, in the North Eastern Nigeria. He was the Commander of the Multinational Joint Task Force headquartered in Ndjamena until his appointment.
Maj-Gen. Buratai previously served as Commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and Commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna State.
The new Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibas (NN/0746) is from Cross River State and he enlisted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 26th Regular Course in 1979 and was commissioned as a Sub-Lieutenant in 1983.
His previous appointments include: Naval Provost Marshal, Chief Staff Officer, Naval Training Command, Chief of Administration, Naval Headquarters, Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command and Chief of Logistics, Naval Headquarters.
Until his appointment as Chief of Naval Staff, he was the Chief Executive Officer of Navy Holdings Limited.
As for the new Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal
Abubakar (NAF/1433), he hails from Bauchi State and was formerly the Chief of Standards and Evaluation, Nigeria Air Force (NAF), Headquarters.
He was former Chief of Defence Communications and Air Officer Commanding, NAF Training Command and until his new appointment as Chief of Air Staff, he was the Chief of Administration, NAF, Headquarters.
The new Service Chiefs will hold their appointments in an acting capacity until they are confirmed by the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
One of the major challenges before the new security chiefs is bringing the dreaded Boko Haram Islamic jihadist to their knees.
Recently, Boko Haram’s allegiance to the Islamic Sate (ISIS), was confirmed in a video by the middle East based terrorist group.