The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Kenneth Minimah, may have approved the deployment of senior officers of the Nigerian Army.
Investigations revealed that the general postings and deployment affected two GOCS and several other Army officers.
The General Officer Commanding the 7th Infantry Battalion, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim and his counterpart in 2nd Division, Ibadan, Maj. Gen. E. Abejirin, were said to be affected in the movement.
It was learnt that the GOC of 2nd Division had retired “after years of meritorious service into the Army.”
It was further learnt that the former Acting GOC of the 7th Division, who presided over the nation’s battle against the insurgency in the North-East was redeployed to Army Headquarters to occupy a very high position.
It was learnt that the posting which involved a substantial number of Army personnel affected officers in the ranks of major general, brigadier general and colonels.
It was added that the deployments and postings were part of the routine transfers carried out by the Army in response to promotions and retirements in the service.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Olajide Laleye, confirmed the deployments and postings in a telephone conversation with our correspondent on Sunday.
He said that the Army authorities had approved the postings due to promotions and retirements that had taken place in the service.
He said, “The Nigerian Army has carried out postings as a result of promotions and retirements. Postings are done periodically in the Army as a result of promotions and retirements…”
Laleye, who also spoke on the reported protest by dismissed soldiers numbering 227 in Jos, said that no such protest took place.
The Army authorities have appointed a new GOC for the 7th Infantry Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri in person of Maj. Gen. L.O. Adeosun.
Until his appointment, Adeosun, was Commander of the 14th Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Ohafia, Abia State.
He is expected to take over the heinous task of presiding over the battle against the insurgency in the North-East.