Buratai Archives - Naija Premium Gist

Former Army Chief, Buratai appointed Nigeria’s Ambassador to Benin Republic

June 23, 2021 No Comments

The former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (rtd), has been appointed Nigeria’s ambassador to Benin Republic.

President Buhari on January 25 replaced Buratai and other service chiefs with fresh appointees. Shortly after the President on February 4, appointed the ex-service chiefs as non-career ambassadors.

The former service chiefs have now been deployed. At a brief ceremony in Abuja on Tuesday, June 22, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Geoffrey Onyeama, presented letters of credence to the ex-service chiefs.

While Buratai was deployed to Benin Republic, former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (rtd) was appointed the head of mission to Cameroon.

A statement released by Kimiebi Ebienfa, information officer of the ministry announced the appointments.

It read; “The Honourable Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Geoffrey Onyeama today 22 June 2021, presented Letters of Credence to the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Cameroon, General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin (Retired) and the Ambassador-Designate of Nigeria to the Republic of Benin, Lt.Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai (Retired).”

The Minister of Foreign Affairs during the brief ceremony congratulated the immediate past service chiefs on their appointment by Mr. President and called on them to deploy their wealth of experience to promote Nigeria’s interest during their tour of duty in countries of accreditation.”

The statement was however silent on the postings of the other former Service chiefs, Vice Admiral Ibok- Ette Ibas (retired) former Chief of Naval Staff; Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar (retired), ex-Chief of Air Staff and Air Vice Marshal Muhammad S. Usman (Rtd), former Chief of Defense Intelligence.

Lifestyle

Army general indicts Buratai over shooting of #EndSARS protesters at Lekki

November 15, 2020 No Comments

More revelations have continued to emerge over the events that led to shooting of peaceful #EndSARS protesters at the Lekki Toll Gate in Lagos on Tuesday October 20, 2020.

Brig. Gen. Ahmed Taiwo, the Commander of 81 Military Intelligence Brigade, Victoria Island, has fingered the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, as the person who ordered the deployment of soldiers undergoing training at military schools in Lagos to the Lekki Toll Gate on the black Tuesday night.

Brig. Gen. Taiwo made this revelation while he was testifying at the Lagos Judicial Panel of Inquiry currently investigating the shooting of the unarmed protesters by soldiers deployed to enforce the curfew imposed on the state by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.

While giving his evidence in chief, Brig. Gen. Taiwo said:

“The 81 Division was short of troops and the Chief of Army Staff gave an extraordinary order that all Army schools should be shut down and everybody should be brought to the operation.”

He added that a day before the incident, he had taught the trainee soldiers about internal security techniques since he is also an examiner at the Nigerian Army Intelligence, and wondered that it was “unbelievable that only a day after learning the rules, they were going for an operation in internal security” and did not put into practice what he taught them.

The senior military officer also debunked reports that the Army was searching for Obianuju Catherine Udeh, popularly known as DJ Switch, who shared live videos on Instagram from the Lekki Toll Gate on the night of October 20, when soldiers shot at peaceful #EndSARS protesters.

Brig. Gen Taiwo said the claims are not true as the Army has “more bigger fish to fry than to expend its energy in search of DJ Switch” who is reported to have relocated to Canada.

“The claim by DJ Switch that the Nigerian Army is looking for her is false. Nothing could be farther from the truth. We have bigger fish to fry and that is how to stabilize Lagos.” Brig-Gen Taiwo said

Though DJ Switch’s whereabouts has not been ascertained as reports claim she fled the country to Canada where she was granted asylum, citing threats to her life, her personal assistant, Charles Abi, granted an interview where he stated that she was safe and out of the country.

Lifestyle

Sanwo-Olu, Zulum, Buratai, 43 Others to Receive Next Level Achievers Award

November 6, 2020 No Comments

A group, Africa’s New Dawn Public Policy Advocacy Organization, has said it has selected 46 distinguished Nigerians who will receive 2020 Next Level Achievers Award, as part of effort to further strengthen the overall commitment of public office holders.

A statement issued Friday by the Coordinator of the Planning Committee, Mr. Ihechukwu Chima, said the group carefully conducted a public survey to identify public officers who had proven themselves with enthusiasm, proficiency and performance and have contributed a great measure to the Next Level Agenda of the present administration through quality service and democratic dividends for the overall well-being of Nigerians.

He said that the award ceremony will take place on the 3rd of December in Abuja to honour deserving public office holders who are serving the nation diligently in various capacities.

Chima stated: “In determination to further strengthen the overall commitment of public office holders to realize the vision of the Next Level Agenda of President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration; organizers of Next Level Achievers Award 2020 had carefully conducted a public survey to identify public officers who have proven themselves with enthusiasm, proficiency and performance and have contributed a great measure to the Next Level Agenda of the present administration through quality service and democratic dividends for the overall well-being of Nigerians.

“Public officers chosen for Next Level Achievers Award were chosen through a rigorous process of public polls; they are men and women of impeccable character, in their pursuit of excellence in service they contributed in no small measure to give a good account of their service.”

Chima said that among those distinguished Nigerians to be honoured were: Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State, Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun State, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum of Borno State, Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State, Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe State.

Others are: General Abayomi Gabriel, Olanisakin Chief of Defence Staff; Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, Chief of Army Staff; Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, Chief of Naval Staff; Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, Chief of Air Staff; Yusuf Magaji Bichi, Director General Department of State Security Service; Mohammed Adamu, Inspector General of Police; Mohammed Babandede, Comptroller General Nigerian Immigration Service; Colonel Hammed Ibrahim Ali (Rtd), Comptroller General Nigeria Customs Service; and Abdullahi Gana Mohammadu, Commandant General Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Other nominees to be honoured include: Ahmed Idris, the Accountant General of the Federation; Anthony Mkpe Ayine, Auditor General of the Federation; Mele Kolo Kyari, Group Managing Director Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation; Muhammad Mammam Nami, the Executive Chairman Federal Inland Revenue Service; Musiliu Smith IGP (Rtd), Chairman Police Service Commission; and Engineer Anthony Attah, Managing Director Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited, among others.

Politics