After several weeks of speculation, President Goodluck Jonathan Thursday effect changes in the military high command with the appointment of Vice Admiral O.S. Ibrahim as the Chief of Defense Staff. In a statement in Abuja, the Special Adviser to the president on Communications, Reuben Abati said the chief of Army Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika retains his position but the chiefs of Air and Naval Staff have been relieved of their appointments. The statement reads: “The president Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has approved the following appointments in the Armed Forces:
Chief of Defence Staff – Vice Admiral O.S. Ibrahim (Kwara), Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral D.J. Ezeoba, Chief of Air Staff , Air Vice Marshall A.S. Badeh (Adamawa)
“The incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. O.A. Ihejirika (Abia) retains his position.
“President Jonathan thanks the outgoing service chiefs for their meritorious and commendable service to the nation and wishes them well in their future endeavours.”