Tension as Nigerian Army retires 15 General

COAS, Kenneth Minimah

Fifteen Generals have been retired from the Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering (NASEME) Auchi, Edo state amid tension and allegation of ethnic cleansing targeted at a particular section of the country.

Ten out of the 15 are Brigadier Generals while five are Major Generals. The Major Generals are Edem Ekwo, Thompson Oliomoghe, Richard duegbunam, Friday Airende and Abass Adekanye , while the Brigadier Generals includes Idi Adamu, Patrick Oviaghase, Samuel Ayo, Peter Aremu, Jacob Amao, Joshua Ibilaye, Ibrahim Alawode, Samuel Adesogan, Chukwuka Ani and Abel Okpeki.

With the exception of one northerner, the rest of the retired officers are from the southern part of the country, thus fuelling the allegation of ethnic sacking from the military.

Meanwhile, speaking at a pulling out parade held in honour of the retiring Generals in Auchi yesterday, the Corps Commander of NASEME, Major General S Labaran said that the retired officers served the country meritoriously.

“They have served the nation meritoriously and they deserve our respect. The Nigerian Army will always fulfil its commitment in the defence of our fatherland. Your services are well appreciated and I want to wish you well in your various future endeavours” he stated.

One of the retired Generals, Thompson Oliomoghe who spoke on behalf of others thanked the Nigerian Army for the opportunity to serve the nation.

A worried observer who spoke with us on the condition of anonymity questioned the rationale behind the retirement of almost 15 Army Generals from a particular section of the country.

‘Look at the list of the officers and tell me the part of the country most of them come from. How many northern generals did you see on that list? Retirement should cut across all parts of the country and not limited to one section.’