The Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali, has denied that he directed two service chiefs to relinquish their offices and proceed on retirement on or before December 16.

A statement released by his Public Relations Officer, Tukur Gusau, a colonel, on Monday in Abuja said his attention was drawn to some online publications purporting that he directed the two service chiefs to hand over on that date.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the two service chiefs in question are the Chief of Defence Staff, Abayomi Olonisakin, a Lt. Gen., and the Chief of Naval Staff, Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas, a Vice Admiral.

The statement said: “Please be informed that there was no such communication between the office of the Honourable Minister of Defence and the service chiefs directing any one of them to hand over his office and proceed on retirement.

“The appointment and replacement of service chiefs is a prerogative responsibility of the office of the President and Commander in Chief.”