The Presidency on Tuesday reacted to the resolution of the Senate that Nigeria’s service chiefs should either resign or be sacked following the protracted state of insecurity in the country.
The Chief of Defence Staff is Gabriel Olonisakin; Chief of Army Staff is Tukur Buratai; Chief of Air Staff is Sadique Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff is Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, the Presidency said the resolution of the Senate was noted.
It however declared that the appointment or sack of the service chiefs were the prerogative of the president.
It assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would do what was in the best interest of the country at all times.
The statement reads: “The Senate Tuesday adopted a resolution calling on the Service Chiefs to resign or be sacked due to the multi-pronged security challenges in the country.
“The Presidency notes the resolution, and reiterates that appointment or sack of Service Chiefs is a Presidential prerogative, and President Muhammadu Buhari, in his capacity as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, will do what is in the best interest of the country at all times.”
The Senate passed the resolution calling for resignation or sack of the service chief consequent upon a motion to that effect by the senator representing Borno South and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Army, Ali Ndume.
The Senate’s argument reads in part: “The Senate notes with concern the number of casualties among the Nigerian army and other security agencies.
“That just recently 24 soldiers were ambushed and killed along Maiduguri-Damboa road in Borno state, 19 were wounded and nine were declared missing in action.
“In Katsina, soldiers were also ambushed and killed while several others were wounded, the number of casualties is not known.
“The senate appreciates the sacrifice of our armed forces in the fight against the insurgency and banditry and protection of territorial integrity and several other security assignments given to them.
“The senate is concerned that if the trend continues, it would have serious implications on the fight against insurgency, banditry.
“It has been alleged that over 200 soldiers voluntarily resigned their engagement or appointment with the Nigerian army.”
