The Nigerian Army has dismissed speculations and rumours regarding the number and names of the senior Army officers affected in the recent retirement exercise.

“This is worrisome as some individuals and media houses went to the ridiculous extent of publishing outrageous figures and names of serving officers as being retired. This is unethical and unfair,” Acting Director Army Public Relations, Colonel Sani Kukasheka Usman, said late Sunday in a statement.

Reports (not by News Express) have put the number of affected officers to be anything from 100 to 200 but Col. Usman advised the public “to please disregard such inaccurate lists.”

“We wish to state that only 38 senior officers were affected by the retirement exercise. For the avoidance of doubt the following is the statistics of the officers retired compulsorily; 9 Major Generals, 10 Brigadier Generals, 7 Colonels, 11 Lieutenant Colonels and a Major,” the Army Spokesman said.

He added: “We are quite aware that some mischievous elements are trying to whip up sentiments. This is quite unfortunate because all the affected officers were retired based on Service exigencies and in line with the Armed Forces Act, CAP A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

“It is pertinent to remind all that the Nigerian Army is a professional institution that is based on highest standards of discipline and conduct. Consequently it’s personnel must remain professional, neutral and apolitical at all times.”

•Photo shows Col. Usman.