How Major General Faruk Yahaya Became Nigeria’s 26th COAS On Merit

Major General Faruk Yahaya who was appointed the 26th Nigerian Army Chief of Staff on Wednesday, May 26 and announcement made Thursday, May 27 by President Muhammadu Buhari has been described as a round peg in a round hole.

Findings by the National Association of Online Security Reporters, NAOSRE, revealed that the dedicated soldier least expected the elevation by President Buhari.

“He is such a dedicated officer who is primarily concerned about the professional execution of his assigned duties,” said a source that can be trusted with facts.

Continuing, the credible source told NAOSRE President, Femi Oyewale, that “Major General Faruk Yahaya is calm, cool and highly intelligent. When the idea for late general Attahiru’s replacement came up, he did not lobby anyone to interface for him.

“He never lobbied to be appointed. He did not even come near the Villa. He was just dedicated and committed to his duties as Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI, responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.

“He is also well experienced as he has been a General Officer Commanding, GOC, Division 1, Kaduna. He is also a charismatic soldier  who is well loved by officers and men of the Nigerian Army.

“General Faruk Yahaya is very firm, tactical and a team player. Soldiers will co operate with him to end insurgency. So, the President has made the right choice,” disclosed the source.

Born on January 5, 1966, in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto state, the new Chief of Army Staff is a thorough bred professional who has distinguished himself over the years including as a two time Brigade Commander in Benin and North East, military Secretary and his recent assignment.

A member of the 37 Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, NDA, he started his cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps on 22 September 1990. 

He has held several appointments including Staff, Instructional and Command.

Notable among the appointments held by the new COAS are Garrison Commander Headquarters Guards Brigade, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Military Secretary,  Deputy Director Army Research and Development and the Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation Pulo Shield. 

He also served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Commander, Headquarters 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation Zaman Lafiya).

He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarters, Military Secretary, Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.

The new COAS is a proud holder of several honours and awards, some of which include, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course (Dagger), National Defence Course (Chile), Economic Community of West Africa State Monitoring Group Medal, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, General Operations Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal and Golden Jubilee Medal. He is happily married and blessed with children.

He holds a Bachelors of Arts Degree in History and Masters Degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy and speaks Arabic, English language, Hausa  and Spanish fluently.

He was promoted first as a Lieutenant 27th September 1990, Captain 27th September 1994,Major 27th September 1998 and Lieutenant Colonel 27th September 2003.

Other preceding promotions were Colonel 27th September 2008, Brigadier General 27th September 2013 and  Major General 27th September 2017.

Among the appointments he has held are Platoon Commander 181 Mechanised Battalion; Platoon Commander  82 Mechanised Battalion; Company Second in Command 81 Battalion and Aide de Camp to Kano State Administrator.

He went on to later become Company Second in Command 20 Battalion; Commanding Officer 7 Battalion; General Staff Officer Grade 2 Army Headquarters Department of Training and Operations (Field Exercises).

General Yahaya was also a Staff Officer Grade 2 (Administration) Headquarters Guards Brigade; Staff Officer Grade 1 Headquarters Guards Brigade; Garrison Commander, Guards Brigade and Directing Staff, Armed Forces Command and Staff College.

He later became Deputy Director Military Secretary 3,  Department of Military Secretary (Army); Deputy Director Military Secretary 2,  Department of Military Secretary (Army); Deputy Director Research and Development,  Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans and Chief of Staff, Headquarters,  Operation Pulo Shield.

The military high Command subsequently entrusted him as Deputy Military Secretary 1, Department of Military Secretary (Army); Principal General Staff Officer to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Ministry  of Defence; Commander 4 Brigade Nigerian Army and Commander 29 Task Force Brigade,  Operation LAFIYA DOLE.

He also held the positions of Director Manpower, Army Headquarters Department of Administration; Military Secretary (Army), Department of Military Secretary (Army); General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army, Theatre Commander,  Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Theatre Commander Operation HADIN KAI respectively.

He has attended courses both home and abroad.

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