The Defence Headquarters has insisted that until the extant rules are changed, two hot issues recently of intense public concern notably the gale of compulsory retirements of military generals following the appointment of new service chiefs, and the instant destruction on 11 July 2023 of a Cameroon-bound vessel laden with stolen crude oil intercepted between Delta and Edo states, will be maintained in spite of critical public commentary. An unverified often-quoted figure of over 200 generals exiting from the three services of Army, Navy and Air Force following the appointment of their juniors as service chiefs are said to have officially indicated their intention to embark on compulsory retirement has dominated debate in the media recently with many commentators lamenting that the practice was inimical to national growth owing to the expertise and experience accruing from long years of intensive local and foreign training attained by the exiting generals.The Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Christopher Musa is of the 38 Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) while the other military service chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force are of the 39 Regular Course.
Following their appointment, generals who were senior to the new service chiefs and some of their course mates are expected to exit the service. Already, military officers, who were course mates of the former service chiefs, notably, Courses 37 and 36 had exited the military. But at Thursday’s regular briefing of defence correspondents featuring the new Director Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba at DHQ in Abuja, he addressed the issue of the seized stolen vessel, explaining that on 11 July 2023, troops of Operation Delta Safe (OPDS) instantly burnt the impounded vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil during military operations in the Niger Delta region.
According to him, the action was in order, noting that the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft. He further disclosed that the troops actually destroyed 178,000 and not 800,000 litres of stolen crude oil contrary to claims in sections of the media.
Major General Edward Buba said that although the vessel ‘MT TURA II’ had a tank capacity of 800,000 litres, it did not contain more than 178,000 litres as at when it was intercepted by the joint security team, noting that the facility reportedly belonged to Holab Maritime Services Limited though it was previously named “ALI RITA BEY”.
“On 7 July 23, troops and Operators of Tantita Surveillance contractors intercepted a vessel loaded with suspected stolen crude oil and arrested 12 suspects (a Ghanian and 11 Nigerians). The vessel was arrested between the boundaries of Delta and Ondo State. The vessel, MT TURA II reportedly owned by Holab Maritime Services Limited has a tank capacity of 800,000 litres. The vessel was previously named ALI RITA BEY.
“Close inspection on the vessel revealed that only two compartments were partially filled with about 150 metric tonnes which is approximately 178,000 litres. This quantity is less than a quarter of the vessel. The vessel upon arrest was moved to Oporoza in Warri South West Local Government Area of Delta State.
“The voyage of the vessel revealed that it originated from Lagos and was heading to Republic of Cameroon as its destination. The vessel captain admitted to having been engaged in same illegal activities for over four years. On 11 July 23, the vessel was destroyed in accordance with extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft,” he stated.
“On 11 July 23, the vessel was destroyed by an extant operating procedure that stipulates instant destruction of any vehicle, vessel or equipment linked with crude oil theft,” he said.
He fielded questions from reporters who specifically drew the attention of the military to environmental concerns arising public burning of seized items and the urgent need to review such laws to align with global practices, Major General Edward Buba, who was an NDA Course 39 course mate with the current three service chiefs of Army, Navy and Air Force.
Major General Edward Buba, the immediate past was also head of intelligence at the Theatre Command of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) in Northeast, Maiduguri at the time the new CDS decorated him with his rank served as the Theatre Commander. The new CDS is reputed to have made a huge mark as Theatre Commander personally leading counter-insurgency operations in the Sambisa Forest and Lake Chad region for 18 months in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe states.
The DMO spokesman told the reporters that the military, by tradition, follows strict orders and brooks nothing contrary until another order takes effect.
Hear him: “In the military, we follow instruction. If it (the law) is reviewed, we will work with it,” he said.
A cross-section of reporters in attendance took turns to shake hands with Maj General Edward Buba for what they chorused as his charisma, brevity, sagacity and sharp focus especially appearing for the first time as new DMO helmsman. He then yielded the podium to the Acting Director Defence Information (DDI), Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau who addressed the issue of generals’ compulsory retirement.
According to him, the affected officers from the three services had already turned in their application for voluntary retirement.
“From day one that you got admitted to NDA, you know your seniors and your juniors. When your junior is appointed service chief, you have to put in your retirement papers. So, I can confirm to you that officers have put in their applications for voluntary retirement.
“Officers put in their applications for voluntary retirement and they got their responses from the various military secretaries. When we get the number, we will let you know,” he said.
