Retired Service Chiefs To Get Bulletproof SUVs, Prado Jeeps, $60,000 Medical Allowance
The recently retired Chief of Defence Staff and two other service chiefs relieved of their duties by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu are set to receive bulletproof SUVs, Prado Jeeps, and other generous benefits under the new retirement package.
According to the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service (HTACOS) 2024, signed by President Tinubu and obtained by Sunday LEADERSHIP, each retired service chief will receive one bulletproof SUV and a Prado Jeep, or equivalent vehicles as backups, to be maintained by their respective Services and replaced every four years.
The document, marked “Restricted,” also states that the retired officers will receive $20,000 annually for medical expenses, bringing their total medical entitlement to $60,000 for a three-year period.
Other entitlements include five domestic staff, one security officer, nine standard guards, three service drivers, personal firearms, and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.
The package also allows them to retain all military uniforms and accoutrements for ceremonial use.
Part of the document reads, “The following benefits shall be the entitlements of the CDS and Service Chiefs: one bulletproof SUV or equivalent vehicle, to be maintained by the Service and replaced every four years; one Prado Jeep or equivalent backup vehicle; retention of all military uniforms and accoutrements to be worn for appropriate ceremonies; five domestic aides (2 x Service cooks, 2 x stewards, and 1 x civilian gardener); one Aide-de-Camp/Security Officer.
“One Special Assistant (Lt/Capt or equivalent) or one personal assistant (WO or equivalent); standard guard (9 soldiers); three Service drivers; one Service orderly; escorts (to be provided by appropriate military units/formations as the need arises); retention of personal firearms (to be retrieved by the relevant Service upon the officer’s demise); and free medical cover in Nigeria and abroad.”
The new HTACOS also outlines benefits for other senior officers. Lieutenant-Generals and equivalents will get a Toyota Hilux and a Land Cruiser, domestic aides, guards, drivers, and free medical care up to $20,000 per year.
Major-Generals and Brigadier-Generals will receive similar packages, though their medical cover is capped at $15,000, while one-star officers will get up to $10,000 per annum for medical expenses.
President Tinubu, on Friday, announced the retirement of the service chiefs and the appointment of their successors. General Olufemi Oluyede is now the Chief of Defence Staff, replacing General Christopher Musa. Major-General W. Shaibu becomes Chief of Army Staff, Air Vice Marshal S. K. Aneke takes over as Chief of Air Staff, and Rear Admiral I. Abbas is the new Chief of Naval Staff. Major-General E. A. P. Undiendeye retains his position as Chief of Defence Intelligence.
Those affected by the shake-up include former Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, and Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar.
The latest appointments are expected to trigger a wave of voluntary and forced retirements within the Armed Forces, as officers senior to the new service chiefs are traditionally required to step down.
Military sources revealed that over 60 generals may retire to pave the way for the new leadership, given that the new Army Chief belongs to Course 41 of the Nigerian Defence Academy.
The Federal Government is expected to make substantial financial provisions to settle the retirees in line with the new terms.
Meanwhile, the Senate Committee on Defence, Army, and Navy is set to screen the new service chiefs this week.
Titilope Adako is a talented and intrepid journalist, dedicated to shedding light on the untold stories of Osun State and Nigeria. Through incisive reporting, she tackles a broad spectrum of topics, from politics and social justice to culture and entertainment, with a commitment to accuracy, empathy, and inspiring positive change.
