Farouq Yahaya, the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), has assumed duty at the Army headquarters in Abuja.
This was disclosed by the Army spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, in a statement on Friday.
Recall that on Thursday, President Muhammad Buhari appointed Major General Farouq Yahaya as the 22nd chief of army staff in the country.
He replaces Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, a who died a week ago in an air crash in Kaduna State.
Until his appointment, Yahaya was the Theatre Commander of Operation Hadin Kai, the counter insurgency operation in the North-east.
The statement by the army spokesperson revealed that the new COAS first reported to the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lucky Irabor, where he received the army insignia and other symbols of authority.
He then proceeded to the Army headquarters where he was received by the Chief of Policy and Plans, Benjamin Ahanotu,.
Read full statement below;
GENERAL FARUK YAHAYA ASSUMES COMMAND AS 22ND CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
The newly appointed Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya, today, 28 May 2021, assumed command at the Army Headquarters (AHQ), Abuja as the 22nd Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army (NA). He was appointed COAS by President Muhammadu Buhari on 27 May 2021 following the unfortunate demise of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others in a plane crash on Friday 21 May 2021.
On arrival from Maiduguri, the COAS proceeded to the Defence Headquarters where he formally reported to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and received the command insignia (flag), the symbol of authority before proceeding to take over his office at the AHQ.
He was received at the Army Headquarters by the Chief of Policy and Plans (COPP) Army, Maj Gen BI Ahanotu and thereafter inspected a quarter guards mounted in his honor and the symbolic lowering and hoisting of command flag to signify the end and beginning of a new command in line with Army traditions.
General Yahaya later held a brief meeting with Principal Staff Officers after observing a minute silence in honor of former COAS, late General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others. He requested maximum cooperation of the senior officers in order to achieve the mandate of safeguarding the country from the multifaceted security challenges facing the country. The COAS further stressed team work and synergy as the way forward for the NA and the nation as no single individual or agency can make it alone.
The COAS thereafter proceeded to the Ministry of Defence to pay homage to the Honorable Minister, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd).
MOHAMMED YERIMA
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
28 May 2021