Nigerian Army retires 10 generals

 Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika

The authorities of the Nigerian Army have retired some top generals of the Army.

It was gathered that those retired were ten in number.

Among those affected were the former Director of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngugbane, the former Commander of Training, Doctrine and Command, Maj.-Gen. Babagana  Mungonu, and the former Chief of Research and Development, Maj.-Gen. Obinali Ariahu.

A top military source said on Wednesday that the generals were retired because they had put in the maximum years in service.

The source said that the retirement exercise was routine and not punitive.

The source added that the retirement exercise was expected to take place every quarter of the year.

The source couldn’t give the names of the others affected in the exercise.

“It is true that some of our generals have been retired. The exercise is a routine one. It is not a punitive retirement, they have reached their terminal level.

“Some of them were asked to proceed on the compulsory terminal leave in June this year,” the source said.

Our correspondent could not contact the Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, for comments as the calls placed to his mobile telephone line indicated that it was switched off or in an area outside network coverage... PUNCH