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­Buhari Hands Ambassadorial Appointments to Sacked Service Chiefs

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After announcing the sack of his highly ineffective military high command, President Muhammadu Buhari, last week sent their names to the Senate for confirmation as ambassadors to yet to be named countries. Former Chief of Defence Staff, General Abayomi Olonisakin; former Chief of Army, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai; former Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar and former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ibas were listed in a letter from President Buhari to the President of the Senate, Senator Ahmad Lawan, for consideration as ambassadors.

These nominations have been criticised by Nigerians who have expressed concern that these ex-service chiefs are being nominated as ambassadors notwithstanding allegations of massive human rights abuse during their reign in the military high command. These allegations, with incidents involving killing of peaceful protesters during the Islamic Movement of Nigeria protests in Kaduna State and Abuja in 2015 and 2018 respectively, the 2020 Lekki #EndSARS shooting, the Air Force bombings at Rann, Borno State, in January 2017, raise questions about the motive for their appointments. Some lawyers and human rights activists have suggested that the appointments are ostensibly aimed at providing diplomatic immunity. It is unclear however if the appointments will provide such cover.