Retired by President Bola Tinubu on Monday, June 19, 2023, the Chief of Defence Staff and service chiefs are set to receive various retirement benefits, such as bulletproof Sport Utility Vehicles, personal aides, guards, and other privileges associated with their positions. These benefits also include a generous allowance for medical treatment abroad.
The senior military officers impacted include the former Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor; the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Faruk Yahaya; the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo; and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Amao.
According to Section 11.8 of the revised HTACOS 2017, an updated version of HTACOS 2012, outlined the advantages of retiring CDS and service chiefs. These benefits include the provision of a bulletproof SUV or a comparable vehicle, maintained by the service and replaced every four years. Additionally, a Peugeot 508 or a similar backup vehicle is provided. Furthermore, there are five domestic aides consisting of two service cooks, two stewards, and a civilian gardener. Each of these individuals is entitled to an Aide-de-Camp/security officer, a special assistant with the rank of lieutenant/captain or equivalent, or a personal assistant with the rank of warrant officer or equivalent. Moreover, there are nine standard guards comprising of nine soldiers.
The former Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) and service chiefs are eligible for three service drivers, a service orderly, and escorts provided by the appropriate military units when necessary. They are entitled to free medical coverage within Nigeria and abroad. Additionally, they can keep all military uniforms and accessories for ceremonial purposes, as well as personal firearms. However, the relevant services will collect the firearms upon the beneficiaries’ demise.