By YANGE IKYAA
The minister of Dldefence, Maj. Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd), has commended the commander-in-chief of the armed forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari, for the well thoughtout strategic appointment of Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, as the 22nd chief of army staff.
His appointment was announced yesterday, May 27 as replacement for the late chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a plane crash alongside ten others one week ago in Kaduna.
General Magashi said by the appointment of General Yahaya, President Buhari has expediently put national interest above ethnic and religious chauvinism by fulfilling all requirements necessary.
These include his unblemished track record of service, professional, command and operational competences, among other yardsticks, that culminated into his emergence as the most suitably qualified new army boss.
The defence minister described the new army boss as an organic infantry general, who is tested and trusted to actualise the national aspirations to restore peace in the dark spot areas of insurgency, kidnapping and banditry, as well as other allied threats to the nation’s corporate existence.
He further expressed optimism in the professional pedigree of the former theatre commander of Operation “Hadin Kai,” General Yahaya, in sustaining the trajectory of taking offensive and aggressive campaigns to the camps, corridors and cells of the adversaries, with a view to obliterating them.
“As a battle commander with remarkable exploits and considerable experience, exposure and expertise, he will be committed to the new battle plans and philosophy of jointness among security services and other security agencies in combat, which are some of the legacies of his predecessor,” the minister maintained.
While pledging the support of the ministry of defence under his watch to the new army boss in carrying out his mandate, the minister said plans are in the pipeline by the Federal Government to immortalise late General Attahiru and others who died in the plane crash.
This, according to him, is aimed at immortalising them and ensuring that their sacrifices as national heroes in keeping the nation safe and secure were not in vain.
