The Nigerian Army this weekend, confirmed the retirement of some senior officers from service following the approval of the Army Council.
The move is generating massive controversy in the West-African nation, as the retiring officers are all from the south of Nigeria and loyal to former President Goodluck Jonathan.
The allegations, which came overwhelmingly from commentators in the southern part of the country, said President Muhammadu Buhari approved the exercise in order to purge southerners from the top hierarchy of the military while replacing them with northerners.
In a statement issued late Sunday, the Nigerian Army denied the allegations, saying the exercise was carried out in strict compliance with the country’s extant laws.
According to the Army’s acting director of public relations, Sani Usman, the officer’s retirement was based on Service exigencies.
“The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to speculations and rumors regarding the number and names of the senior Army officers affected in the recent retirement exercise. This is worrisome as some individuals and media houses went to the ridiculous extent of publishing outrageous figures and names of serving officers as being retired. This is unethical and unfair,” Sani Usman said in a statement.