TheCable

The federal government has announced the deployment of ex-service chiefs as ambassadors to neighbouring countries.

The posting of the former service chiefs was announced by the federal government via its official Koo account, an Indian microblogging platform, on Wednesday.

Saddique Abubakar, former chief of air staff, was deployed to Chad, Ibok-Ete Ibas, ex-chief of naval staff, was deployed to Ghana; Tukur Buratai, former chief of army staff, was deployed to Benin Republic while Abayomi Olonisakin, former chief of defence staff, was deployed to Cameroon.

Sani Usman, a former defence chief, was deployed to Niger Republic.

President Muhammadu Buhari had, in February, appointed the ex-service chiefs as non-career ambassadors after they left office.

Some Nigerians had criticised the nominations of the ex-service chiefs owing to their performance on security in the country but the presidency defended their appointment, saying it is a reward for hard work.

“The President is rewarding hard work and exceptional sacrifice by a set of military leaders who gave their best to the nation and will be remembered, sooner than later, for their contributions to the security and survival of Nigeria as one nation,” Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, had said in a statement.