The duo’s retirement was based on their attaining the official years of retirement from the military.
The CDS and the CNS both belong to the Regular Course 26 of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
While Olonisakin was commissioned Second Lieutenant on December 18, 1981, Ibas’ commissioning took place in 1983.
Military sources quoted in the report said the minister of defence, Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali (rtd), has since sent letters to the Service Chiefs, directing them to handoveron or before Friday, December 16.
The sources say the Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, is expected to take over from Olonisakin in acting capacity. Abubakar is the most senior service chief after Olonisakin.
Meanwhile, a former president of a Special Court-Martial, Air Vice Marshal James Gbum, is to expected assume the position of CAS, albeit in acting capacity before his confirmation.
Meanwhile, the spokesperson for the minister of defence, Colonel Tukur Gusau has dismissed the report as untrue.
In a press statement sent to Naijaloaded, Gusau said his boss has not sent any letter directing the service chiefs to handover their offices.
Part of the statement read: “The attention of the Honourable Minister of Defence Mansur Muhammad Dan-Ali was drawn to some online publications claiming that he has sent letters to the Chief of Defence Staff General Abayomi Gabriel Olonisakin and Chief of the Naval staff Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas directing them to hand over their offices on or before Friday, 16 December.
“Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.
“The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.”
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