Nyesom Wike, the minister of the FCT, has alleged that a former GOC in Rivers, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham (Rtd), ordered that he should be shot when he was serving as the governor of the state
The minister alleged that the officer who was asked to carry out the assigned task and refused was jailed for six months
According to Wike, Maj Gen Jamil Sarham (Rtd) is now working at the office of the National Security Adviser to President Bola Tinubu
The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has alleged that Maj Gen Jamil Sarham (Rtd), a former GOC of the Port Harcourt-based 6 Division, ordered that he should be shot when he was the sitting governor in Rivers.
According to Wike, General Sarham, a former Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), now works at the office of the National Security Adviser, under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
In a video shared on social media, the former governor alleged that an officer was ordered to carry out the assignment on him because of his political rivalry with Rotimi Amaechi, who was the then Minister of Transportation.
Wike revealed that the former minister, who also doubled as his predecessor in Rivers, promised to make the former GOC the next Chief of Army State.
1. Military career and appointments
Major General Jamil Sarham served as the 36th GOC of the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army, headquartered in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.
Before this appointment in August 2018, he held other key positions, including Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, Jaji, Kaduna State.
2. Emergence as 29th NDA Commandant
Following the redeployment of top officers in the Nigerian Army and the hierarchy of the military in 2019, Major General Jamil Sarham took over as the 29th Commandant of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in November 2019. He succeeded the 28th NDA Commandant, Major General Adeniyi Oyebade. During his time as the NDA commandant, General Sarham reaffirmed the academy’s commitment to turning out the best officers for the Nigerian Armed Forces.
3. Retirement from service and new role
Major General Jamil Sarham, who has since retired from the military, is now the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of New Guard Security and Consultancy Services (NGSCS) Limited.
4. Controversy and allegations
This is not the first time Wike has called out Major General Sarham. In May 2019, Wike accused the Nigerian Army in Rivers, under the leadership of General Sarham, of engaging in illegal oil bunkering in the state.
He alleged that Sarham, who was then the General Officer Commanding (GOC) the Army’s 6th Division in Port Harcourt, raised a team of soldiers to steal and sell petroleum products in the region.
He further claimed that Sarham regularly divulged confidential security briefings to criminals and that the military leadership’s reluctance to remove him was deliberate.
Nigerians react to Wike’s allegation
Some Nigerians have taken to the comment section of the video to react to the claim of the minister. Below are some of their reactions:
Hon. Richard S.O. Masi raised allegations against Wike: “Maybe, people from my community should be given the right of reply by @seunokin now that wike is talking about 2015. Over 1,000 people who joined APC to resist Wike succeeding @ChibuikeAmaechi were murdered, assassinated in cold blood. My Cousin Dimpka was a victim. Lost his life to Wike’s agents (Don Wanny & gang).”
Osas explained that the allegation should be taken seriously: “This isn’t supposed to be a laughing matter! These are some serious allegations! What a country!”
Provost noted that the minister should be cautioned: “I think the legends were finished, but I have seen one in Mr Wike’s eye, G. J Sarham is supposed to come to the light, these politicians have to know there is a line which cannot be crossed.”
Math Punter reacted: “But if it happened this way, it is a disgrace; he should have worked strictly as an Army officer, not doing the bidding of other politicians. Personally, I don’t like the way these GOCs come to the state and start following the governors up and down.”
Umenta Braith accused the minister: “PTSD no gree Wike visit NSA office, give general Sarham a national honour. The same Wike that was threatening in audio to kill an election official if they didn’t allow rigging?”
