THE Nigerian Army has retired 12 generals and 94 other officers including 18 colonels,10 lieutenant colonels, 32 majors, captain and lieutenants in the aftermath of the appointment of five new general officers commanding (GOCs).The retirement of the generals came as the federal government approved the appointment of Major General D.M. Chong, until now director of Military Intelligence, as chief of staff, Liberian Armed forces. He is taking over from Major General Abdurahman who is proceeding on terminal leave.

The 12 generals affected are Major General Sani Saleh, chief of operations, Nigerian Army and one time general officer, commanding 2 Division, Ibadan; Major General A.T. Ibrahim, formerly general officer commanding, 82 Division, Enugu; and Major General Tache, formerly chief of training and operations, Defence Headquarters.

The brigadier generals are K.B. Kareem; B.A. Saliyuk; S.M. Mohammed; S.O. Ogbogu; I.B. Maigari; S.K. Iruh; D.G.M. Igah; A.U. Ezeodum; and E. Essien.

Sunday Vanguard learnt that the major-generals were retired because they were non-deployable. Generals Saleh and Tachie were in course 15 of the Nigerian Defence Academy and senior to the current chief of army staff who was in course 17.

The others including the brigadier generals and below were retired for reasons such as age on rank, failure to pass promotion criteria on three occasions, inability to pass mandatory promotion exams, disciplinary cases and medical problems as stipulated in the Armed Forces terms and conditions of service (TACOS).