…As Rigim becomes new IGP, Ekpenyong, DG SSS

By Daniel Idonor
ABUJA—PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved sweeping changes in the nation’s Armed Forces, with the sacking of all service chiefs, Inspector General of Police, IGP, and Director-General of the State Security Service, SSS.

Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, said in a six-paragraph statement, that President Jonathan approved the appointment of Oluseye Petirin, an Air Marshal and former Chief of Air Staff as the new Chief of Defence Staff, adding that he replaced Paul Dike as the CDS.

The statement said that contrary to past practices, President Jonathan had resolved that all new appointees into the top hierarchy of the nation’s Armed Forces would pass through a mandatory screening process as enshrined in the amended 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The statement said that O.A Ihejirika, a major general, and former General Officer Commanding, GOC, 81 Division, Lagos, as the new Chief of Army Staff adding that he replaces Abdulrahman Danbazzau.

It said that O.S Ibrahim, a rear admiral and Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command replaces Ishaya Ibrahim as the new Chief of Naval Staff while MD Umar; an air vice marshal takes over from Petirin as the new Chief of Air Staff.