Buhari: I didn’t know any of my service chiefs

President Muhammadu Buhari has urged the newly-appointed service chiefs to rebuild the reputation of the armed forces and prove that they were appointed on merit as he had no previous relationship with any of them

Buhari also asked them to show utmost commitment to their duties, saying their appointment was based on merit.

“All of you, including the national security adviser, were chosen on merit,” he said.

“Your records gave you the job. Save for the new chief of army staff whom I briefly met at his command at the multi-national joint task force, in Chad, I don’t know any of you.

“Your records recommended you.

“Legally, you are in acting capacity until the national assembly accepts you.

“It is only then that you will take the oath of office. Thereafter, we will sit down and talk in more detail.”

He assured them that their nominations would be sent soon to the national assembly for confirmation.

Buhari dismissed the service chiefs appointed by former president president, Goodluck Jonathan and named Abayomi Olonishakin as chief of defence staff; T.Y. Buratai as chief of army staff; Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas as chief of naval staff and Sadique Abubakar as chief of air staff.

He also appointed Riku Morgan as chief of defence intelligence and Babagana Monguno as national security adviser.