Sacked Service Chiefs To Get Bulletproof SUVs, Aides, Lifetime Care
The dismissed Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, along with the former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, and Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, are expected to receive substantial retirement benefits in line with the Armed Forces regulations.
Their disengagement followed President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of new service chiefs on Friday.
General Olufemi Oluyede has been named Chief of Defence Staff, Major-General W. Shaibu as Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas as Chief of Naval Staff. The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye, retains his post.
A statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, explained that the shake-up was aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s national security architecture.
The retirement entitlements are provided for under the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service for Officers and Enlisted Personnel in the Nigerian Armed Forces, signed by President Tinubu on December 14, 2024.
See the list of benefits below:
– Bulletproof SUVs, Backup Cars, Domestic Staff
– According to the document, each retired service chief will receive:
– A bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, to be maintained and replaced every four years by the military;
– A Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup car;
– Five domestic aides, including two cooks, two stewards, and a gardener;
– An aide-de-camp or security officer;
– A personal assistant or special assistant.
– They will also retain three drivers, a service orderly, and a standard guard unit of nine soldiers.
– Lifetime Medical Care and Firearms Privileges
The package further covers free medical treatment both in Nigeria and abroad, with officers of lieutenant-general rank and equivalents entitled to medical care worth up to $20,000 annually.
While the document did not specify the exact health benefits for the service chiefs, they are believed to be considerably higher.
The HTCOS reads, “Retirement benefits for CDS and Service Chiefs: The following benefits shall be applicable: one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle to be maintained by the Service and to be replaced every four years. One Peugeot 508 or equivalent backup vehicle.
“Retention of all military uniforms and accoutrement to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (two service cooks, two stewards, and one civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/security officer; one Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalents) or one Personal Assistant (Warrant Officer or equivalents); standard guard (nine soldiers).
“Three service drivers; one service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/formation as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (on his demise, the personal firearm(s) shall be retrieved by the relevant service); and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
However, the policy specifies that such entitlements apply only if the retired officers have not accepted any other appointment funded from public resources, except when the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria makes such an appointment.
In such cases, the officers, according to the document, will only receive allowances commensurate with the new role rather than a full salary.