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.
Public Relations officer to the Honourable Minister of Defence, Colonel Tukur Gusau stated in a statement that there was no such communication between the office of the Minister and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.
Gusau further stated that the appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.