THE FILE: Architect, best NDA student, oil thief ‘catcher’… Meet Buhari’s new security chiefs

Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin (defence)

The new chief of defence staff, a major general from Ekiti state, was until his appointment the head of the Nigerian Army Training and Doctrine Command in Minna, Niger state. He topped his class at the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA). He is the most senior general in the armed forces with the retirement of the former service chiefs. He is only the third south-westerner to be Nigeria’s No. 1 military officer, after Alani Akinrinade (1980-81) and Seyi Petinrin (2010-2012).

Tukur Buratai (army)

Buratai, a major general from Borno state, was the commander of the multinational joint task force with headquarters in Ndjamena, Chad. He previously served as commander of the Nigerian Army’s 2nd Brigade in Port Harcourt and commander of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry in Jaji, Kaduna state. The JTF in the Niger Delta used to report to him, and they recorded many successes in arresting oil thieves. He holds two master’s degrees – one in history and the other in philosophy.

Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (navy)

Ibas, a rear admiral from Cross River state, was at various times naval provost marshal, chief staff officer, Naval Training Command; chief of administration, Naval headquarters; flag officer commanding Western Naval Command; and chief of logistics, Naval headquarters. He was until Monday the CEO of Navy Holdings Limited.

Sadique Abubakar (air force)

Abubakar, an air vice marshall from Bauchi state, was chief of standards and evaluation, NAF headquarters; chief of defence communications; and air officer commanding, NAF Training Command. He served as the chief of administration, NAF headquarters, before his latest appointment.

Monday Morgan Riku (defence intelligence)

The new chief of defence intelligence, an air vice marshal hails from Benue State, was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force as a pilot officer in June 1982. Riku was air officer commanding, NAF Logistics Command.

Babagana Monguno (NSA)

Monguno, a retired major general from Borno state, was a member of the Nigerian Defence Academy’s 21st Regular Course. Before his retirement, he held several command and staff appointments including: commander, Guards Brigade; deputy commandant, National Defence College; chief of defence intelligence; chief of defence logistics; and commander, Training and Doctrine Command. He is an architect.