NAF denies reports of pending retirement of AVMs

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has denied reports in some media that senior officers of the service are on the verge of been compulsorily retired for their involvement in the arms scandal, popularly called Dasukigate.

The statement refuting the report issued yesterday in Abuja by the Director of Public Relation and Information (DoPRI), Group Captain Ayodele Famuyiwa, said the report under the slug “Arm Scandal: Air Force to retire AVMs, Commodores, “is unfounded and did not emanate from the NAF.”

The media has been awash with reports of a possible retirement of more military officers from the other two services, NAF and Nigeria Navy (NN), following the announcement that 38 senior officers, including 18 Generals were retired from the Nigerian Army for “professional corruption.”

A top military source had told The Guardian on condition of anonymity those most senior officers in the sister services are also guilty of the reasons given by the Army Spokesman, Colonel Sani Usman, for the compulsory retirement of the officers.

“The truth is that, this is the first batch of officers that are to go. Another one would be released soon. Maybe, in two weeks time when the tension is cooled down.

“Most of the senior officers recommended for compulsory retirement are those that were involved in what is been referred to as Dasukigate. Officers from the all the services are being fingered in the enterprise. So we are waiting for them. Some Air Vice Marshals (AVMs) and senior officers are likely going to follow, of course the Navy too. Be assured that they would be named soon when the Councils sit”, our source said.

Famuyiwa referring to the publication (not The Guardian) in his statement explained that, “The publication alleged that the NAF is at the verge of retiring a number of senior officers connected with the ongoing investigation of arms purchase under the immediate past administration”, noting that it is important to confirm stories before publication.”