The Nigerian Army has confirmed the retirement of some senior officers on Friday .
A statement by acting Army Spokesman, Colonel Dani Lukasheka Usman said those affected include Major Generals, Brigadier Generals,Colonels,Lieutenant Colonels and a Major.
The statement reads, “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public that quite a number of senior officers of the Nigerian Army were retired from service yesterday(Friday).
“Those retired were mainly some Major Generals, Brigadier Generals, Colonels, Lieutenant Colonels and a Major.
Giving reasons for the purge, the statement said “Their retirement was based on Service exigencies. It should be recalled that not too long ago some officers were investigated for being partisan during the 2015 General Elections.
Colonel Usman said further, “Similarly, the investigation by the Presidential Committee investigating Defence Contracts revealed a lot.
“Some officers have already been arraigned in court by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The spokesman advised that “People should therefore not read this out of context.
“The military must remain apolitical and professional at all times. We must applaud and support this laudable and bold initiative by the government”,the Army Headquarters said.
The statement however did not disclose names of those purged from service. But unofficial accounts alleged that about 200 officers may have been affected.
There was no official confirmation of the figures from Army HQ Friday night. But there were hints of unease in the army over the latest purge.
It could be recalled that former President Olusegun Obasanjo also purged the military of officers known to have held political offices before 1999.
The exact modality for determining those affected by the latest purge was not immediately clear aside from the general reasons outlined by the Army spokesman his statement Friday night.
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