From: Molly Kilete, Abuja

President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the extension of tenure of the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin.

The president also approved the extension of service of the Chief Of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Tukur Yusufu Buratai,  Chief of Naval staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar.

Public Relations Officer to the Minister of Defence, Col. Tukur Gusau, who made this known in a statement, the extension is in pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.

Col. Gusau, in the statement made available to Daily Sun, said “ The President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), having carefully reviewed the on-going military operations across the nation and the efforts of the Chief of Defence staff and the Service chiefs in the counter insurgency operations in the North East coupled with the security situation of the Niger Delta region, has graciously approved the extension of tenure of service of General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin, the Chief of Defence Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusufu Buratai Chief of Army Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ewe Ibas, the Chief of Naval staff and Air Marshal Sadique Baba Abubakar, the Chief of Air staff.

“This extension is pursuant of the powers conferred on the President and Commander in chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria by section 218 (1) and (2) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and section 09.06 of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions for Service for officers (2012) Revised.

“The Honourable Minister of Defence, Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali, therefore, congratulate the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for earning the confidence of the President, Commander in Chief of the Armed Force of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the people of Nigeria  leading to their extension of service.