The Nigerian Army has announced the retirement of 10 top generals from its service, including the former Director of Training and Operations, Defence Headquarters, Maj.-Gen. Lawrence Ngugbane, the former Commander of Training, Doctrine and Command, Maj.-Gen. Babagana Mungonu, and the former Chief of Research and Development, Maj.-Gen. Obinali Ariahu.
According to a top military source, the generals were retired because they had put in the maximum years in service.
He added that the retirement exercise was routine and not punitive, and it could be expected to take place every quarter of the year.
However, the other seven affected generals have not been identified as at press time.
The source couldn’t give the names of the others affected in the exercise.
“It is true that some of our generals have been retired. The exercise is a routine one. It is not a punitive retirement; they have reached their terminal level.
“Some of them were asked to proceed on the compulsory terminal leave in June this year,” the source said.
Our correspondent could not contact the Director of Defence Information, Brig.- Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, for comments as the calls placed to his mobile telephone line indicated that it was switched off or in an area outside network coverage.