Army Suspends Officer Retirements as Insecurity Escalates Nationwide
Edino Chubiyo Cornelius 
ABUJA, Nigeria – The Nigerian Army has suspended all statutory and voluntary retirements for selected categories of officers, citing the nationwide security emergency declared by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu amid rising mass abductions and violent attacks.
An internal memo dated December 3 and signed by Maj. Gen. E. I. Okoro on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff confirms that the decision aims to retain manpower, operational experience and leadership capacity as security forces expand nationwide.
The suspension follows the President’s November 26 declaration of a national security emergency, prompted by over 600 abduction cases recorded in November alone. These include the kidnapping of more than 300 students in Niger State, 38 worshippers in Kwara State and 25 students in Kebbi State.
According to the circular, the temporary halt affects officers who have reached age ceilings, completed 35 years of service, failed promotion or conversion boards three times, or were passed over repeatedly. Officers may, however, voluntarily opt out and proceed with retirement.
The memo cites Paragraph 3.10(e) of the Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service Officers (HTACOS) 2024, which permits service extension “in the interest of the Armed Forces”.
It states: “To rapidly expand manpower capacity, it has become expedient to temporarily suspend all statutory and voluntary retirements from the Nigerian Army with immediate effect.”
Dr Awwal Abdullahi, Secretary-General of the Military Veterans Federation of Nigeria, describes the move as timely.
“These officers are trained with taxpayers’ money. Retiring them prematurely wastes experience needed during a national security crisis,” he says.
Retired Brigadier General Peter Aro calls the policy a “reasonable emergency response” but urges welfare incentives. “Retaining seasoned officers stabilises command, but without promotions, their welfare must reflect the sacrifice,” he says.
Military authorities say the policy will be reviewed as security conditions improve.
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