Faruk Yahaya CFR psc(+) NAM GSS ndc (Chile) FCMH GSMH MIAD (born 5 January 1966) is a retired Nigerian army lieutenant general and a former Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari on 27 May 2021.[1][2][3] after the death of the former Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru who died in the Beechcraft King Air 350i plane crash near Kaduna International Airport.[4]
Faruk Yahaya | |
|---|---|
| Chief of Army Staff | |
| In office 27 May 2021 – 23 June 2023 | |
| President | Muhammadu Buhari Bola Tinubu |
| Preceded by | Ibrahim Attahiru |
| Succeeded by | Taoreed Lagbaja |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 5 January 1966 Sifawa Bodinga, Northern Region, Nigeria (now in Sokoto State, Nigeria |
| Alma mater | Nigerian Defence Academy Salford University |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  Nigeria |
| Branch/service |  Nigerian Army |
| Years of service | 1985–2023 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
Early life
editFaruk Yahaya was born on 5 January 1966 in Sifawa, Bodinga Local Government Area of Sokoto State.[5] He is a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Nigerian Army School of Infantry. He commenced officer cadet training on 27 September 1985 and was commissioned into the Nigerian Army Corps of Infantry as a Second lieutenant on 27 December 1990. [6] He holds a master's degree in International Affairs and Diplomacy.[7]
Military career
editLt Gen Faruk Yahaya has attended all the relevant courses commensurate to his career which include, Young Officers Course, Infantry, Company Commanders Course, Infantry and Commanding Officers Course. He also attended Junior Staff Course, Senior Staff Course and National Defence College amongst other, as well as several workshops and Seminars.[8]
He has also held several appointments including Command, Staff and Instructional. Notable amongst them are Guards Brigade Garrison Commander, 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 Chief of Staff, Headquarters Joint Task Force Operation "Pulo Shield".[8]
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has served as the Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO) to Honourable Minister of Defence, Commander, 4 Brigade and 29 Task Force Brigade (Operation "Zaman Lafiya"). He was also Director Manpower at the Army Headquarter, Military Secretary Army Headquarters and General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division of the Nigerian Army.[8]
Until his appointment as the COAS, Lt Gen Faruk Yahaya was the Theatre Commander of the Operation "Hadin Kai", responsible for Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency operations in North East Nigeria.[8]
Awards and honours
editFaruk Yahaya holds several honours and awards, some of which include, Nigerian Army Medal, Grand Service Star, Passed staff course Dagger, National Defence College (Chile), Field Command Medal of Honour, General Staff Medal of Honour and several other numerous medals, honours and awards.[8]
Personal life
editYahaya is married and has four children.[8]
References
edit- ^ "New Chief of Army Staff: Buhari appoint Major General Farouk Yahaya to replace late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru". BBC News Pidgin. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Buhari names Major-General Faruk Yahaya as new army chief". The Guardian. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
- ^ Omonobi, Kingsley. "Buhari appoints Major General Faruk Yahaya as Chief of Army Staff". Vanguard. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ "Nigeria's army chief Ibrahim Attahiru dies in air crash". The Guardian. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 27 May 2021.
- ^ Ramalan, Ibrahim (27 May 2021). "Profile: Meet the new Chief of Army Staff, Faruk Yahaya". Daily Nigerian. Retrieved 8 June 2021.
- ^ "Profile of the New Chief of Army Staff Major GeneralFaruk Yahaya". Nigeria Army. 27 May 2021. Retrieved 8 June 2021. [permanent dead link]
- ^ "Who is Major General Faruk Yahaya, the new Chief of Army staff?". Vanguard. 28 May 2021. Retrieved 24 February 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Nwachukwu, John Owen (27 May 2021). "Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya: Profile of Nigeria's new Chief of Army Staff". Daily Trust. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
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