Buratai met Boko Haram and left us with Boko Haram. How Social media reacted to Buhari’s sack of service chiefs
Pascal Oparada
The exit of Nigeria’s former service chiefs relieved of their duty today by President Muhammadu Buhari has elicited reactions on social media.
While many hailed the move by the president, others expressed pessimism that the new chiefs would do little in the fight against insurgency and general insecurity in the country.
They said unless the new service chiefs are given a new playbook by the president, nothing will change in terms of security in Nigeria.
Others bemoaned the lack of inclusion of an Igbo person in the new appointments.
Two appointments by Buhari stood out, according to social media buffs.
The new Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, who replaces Buratai was said to have been sacked by him in 2017 as Theatre Commander of Operation Lafia Dole.
According to a report by TheCable, Buratai gave Attahiru an ultimatum to deliver Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau. Attahiru reportedly failed in the task and was sacked as a Theatre Commander in 2017.
A story by the BBC said Attahiru was redeployed to an unspecified post in 2017.
No official reason was given for Maj Gen Ibrahim Attahiru’s removal.
Buratai gave him a deadline in July 2017 to deliver Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau dead or alive within 40 days.
In 2017, former Chief of Army Staff, Yusuf Buratai, sacked Major General Ibrahim Attahiru who was leading the fight against Boko Haram for incompetence. But a nepotistic Buhari who does not want Leo Irabor as Chief of Army staff, regurgitated Attahiru, made his COAS. pic.twitter.com/oswXIHFHxj
— Jackson Ude (@jacksonpbn) January 26, 2021
Others hailed the appointment of Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Leo Irabor saying they preferred him as the Chief of Army Staff.
@KevinOdanz said: I would have preferred Major General Leo Irabo as Chief of Army Staff tho. A distinguished, intelligent army officer. Anyway, I guess Dan Fodio would have rolled in his grave if that happened.
I would have preferred Major General Leo Irabo as Chief of Army Staff tho. A distinguished, intelligent army officer. Anyway, I guess Dan Fodio would have rolled in his grave if that happened.
— Kelvin Odanz (@MrOdanz) January 26, 2021
More reactions below:
ICC should with immediate effect serve warrant arrest to resigned chief of Army staff General Burutai, others for war crime against humanity
— Kelechi Raymond (@Ray4prince) January 26, 2021
Buratai met Boko Haram and left us with Boko Haram, Bandits, Killer Herdsmen, Kidnappers, Ansaru. Buratai who was obviously incompetent fired an officer for incompetence, then Buhari, the incompetent leader, appointed the sacked incompetent officer as the Chief of Army Staff. 👏 https://t.co/VbwjiUxPYG
— Olabode (@edwardbode) January 26, 2021
