Why Malu survived Obasanjo’s mass retirement of officers, by Ochefu

•Abdulsalami, Mark, Sirleaf, Koroma, others mourn as burial rites begin

A retired military officer, Lt. Col. F. O Ochefu (rtd) has narrated how the late Gen. Victor Malu, survived the mass sacking of military officers. Ochefu, who was Malu’s course mate, spoke yesterday at the burial rite of the fallen soldier.

He said the late Chief of Army Staff, survived the mass sacking of military officers during the administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, because he did not take up any political appointments throughout his career in the military.

His disclosure came as former Senate President, David Mark, said unlike Malu, some of them that played action political roles in the military never had option to reject offers given them.

He also said the development was responsible for Obasanjo inheriting him as the Chief of Army Staff when he took over the mantle of leadership of the country as a democratically elected president in May 1999.

Ochefu spoke at the occasion of Service of Songs for the late Malu, at the Nigerian Army Officers Mess,in Abuja.He said: “When Malu was in the military, he refused and shunned all political appointments. He didn’t join the military to be a politician, a governor or whatever.

Also, the former military Head of State, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, who appointed Malu Force Commander ECOMOG Peace-keeping in Liberia, described him as an officer who was never found wanting in his assigned duties. The remains of the Malu would be interred in his hometown, Katsina-Ala, in Katsina-Ala Local Council Area of Benue State on Saturday.

“He was a fine and a gentleman officer who knew his job and did it well. While in the service of the Nigerian Army, he impacted positively on the lives of the troops under his command,” he said.

Also, in his tribute, the former Senate President, David Mark described the late Malu as a soldier’s soldier, saying he lived a life worthy of emulation. The remains of the Malu would be interred in his hometown, Katsina-Ala, in Katsina-Ala Local Council Area of Benue State on Saturday.