Following the death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, President Muhammadu Buhari has appointed his replacement, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya, who would take over as the country’s new chief of army staff.
The former Chief of Army Staff died in an air crash on Friday, May 21, 2021, while on his way to Kaduna where he was billed to attend the passing out parade of army recruits. He died alongside ten other army officers a list which included three brigadier generals.
As the nation comes to terms with the tragic death, the acting Director of Defence Information, Onyema Nwachukwu, announced the appointment of a new COAS yesterday, Thursday, May 27, 2021, in a statement.
According to the Nigerian Army website, the new Chief of Army Staff, Major General Farouk Yahaya was born on 5 January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state.
He is a member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), and started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990.
Before his recent appointment as the country’s new Chief of Army Staff, Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.
Major General Farouk Yahaya is happily married and blessed with children and is also the proud holder of several honors and awards, some of which include:
- Command Medal
- Forces Service Star
- Grand Service Star
- Silver Jubilee Medal
- Golden Jubilee Medal
- Field Command Medal
- Meritorious Service Star
- General Operations Medal
- Distinguished Service Star
- Passed staff course (Dagger)
- National DefenceCourse (Chile)
- Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal
Meanwhile, the Governor of Kaduna State, Malam Nasir El-Rufai has congratulated Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya on his appointment.
The governor said he is excited about the appointment since the Major General is someone he has worked closely with when the latter served as General Officer Commanding, 1 Division Nigerian Army, Kaduna covering Kaduna, Niger, Kano, and Jigawa States.
He also added that he believes the incoming COAS will succeed in areas where his predecessors encountered brick walls and do his part in ensuring a secured nation.
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