Senate Confirms Irabor, Others As Service Chiefs

The Senate on Tuesday confirmed the appointment of the new Service Chiefs with a charge by Senate President Ahmad Lawan to the new military helmsmen take the battle to bandits and kidnappers in their enclaves.

The new Service Chiefs are: Maj. Gen. Lucky Eluonye Onyenucheya lrabor – Chief of Defence Staff (CDS); Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru – Chief of Army Staff (COAS); Rear Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff (CNS); and Air Vice Marshal Isiaka O. Amao – Chief of Air Staff (CAS).

They replaced the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok Ekwe Ibas; and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

The approval followed the consideration of the report of the Senate Committee on Defence which recommended their confirmation.

The Committee is chaired by Senator Aliyu Wamakko (Sokoto North).

Lawan had on Wednesday two weeks ago referred the request of President Muhammadu Buhari to the committee on Defence for further legislative work.

He gave the Senator Wamakko-led committee two weeks to carry out their assignment and report to the Senate in plenary.

The Senate president in his remarks, urged the new Service Chiefs to take the war to the bandits and insurgents and dislodge them in their strongholds.

He said: “A situation whereby a group of people will go to a school and take over 300 students away on motorcycles is not acceptable.

“Kidnapping without a trace, is not acceptable. Something has to give because, apparently, this is becoming an industry, some people are benefiting from this and we have to unravel who these people are, and fight bandits and insurgents until we rescue our country.

“Let me also advise the Service Chiefs that there must be an interagency corporation. There must be an interagency corporation, the Army, Air Force and the Navy are supposed to have complimentary roles.

“We promise them and indeed Nigerians that we will support them in whatever way the parliament can come to their support.”