Jonathan Appoints New Service Chiefs, Police Boss

PHOTO: PRESIDENT GOODLUCK JONATHAN.

ABUJA, Sept 08, (THEWILL) - Sweeping Changes have been made by President Goodluck Jonathan in the hierarchy of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the Police with the appointment of new service chiefs and an acting Inspector General of Police.

The new service chiefs are: O.O Peterin, Air Marshal, - Chief of Defence Staff; O. A. Ihejirika, Major General, - Chief of Army Staff; O.S Ibrahim, Rear Admiral, Chief of Naval Staff; and M.D Umar, Air Vice Marshal, - Chief of Air Staff.

President Jonathan has also appointed Hafiz A. Ringim as the Acting Inspector General of Police, and Ita Ekpeyong as the new Boss of the State Security Services (SSS).

In a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Ima Niboro, Jonathan said, "the appointment is with immediate effect, subject to the confirmation of the National Assembly, subject to the Armed Forces Act, section 18(cap a20 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004)."

"The president thanked the outgoing service chiefs, whose tenures it claimed "expired in August", for their outstanding stewardship, loyalty, and defence of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

The president also thanked the outgoing Inspector General, Ogbonnaya Onovo, and outgoing DG SSS, Mr. A.A Gadzama, for their dedication to service of the fatherland and wished them well in their future endeavours.