Senate confirms newly appointed Service Chiefs

Left-Right: The CDS, Maj Gen A.G Olonisakin, COAS, Maj. Gen. T.Y Buratai, CNS, Rt. Adm. I.E Ibas

and CAS, AVM S.B Abubakar

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of service chiefs by President Muhammadu Buhari, clearing the coast for them to fully take charge of their various duties as the Senate has confirmed their appointment.

They are the Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General Abayomi Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff, Major General Tukur Buratai, Chief Of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas and Chief Of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The confirmation came after a rigorous screening, which lasted for nearly four hours behind closed doors.

After the exercise, the Senate President Senator Bukola Saraki said the appointment of the security chiefs is based on merit and they are expected to provide a new direction for the armed forces.

He urged them to work hard to root out the corruption in the procurement of arms and ammunition for the armed forces, while promising that the senate will give them all necessary assistance to enable them succeed.

The House of Representatives too are also holding a separate screening exercise for the service chiefs.

President Muhammadu Buhari had through his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, announced the sack of the Heads of Army, Navy and Air Force as well as the National Security Adviser (NSA) on July 13.