Ishaya Bamaiyi


Ishaya Bamaiyi, GCON is a retired Nigerian Army Lieutenant General and former Chief of Army Staff. His older brother was Major General Musa Bamaiyi, former Head of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.

Background and education

He was born in Kebbi State Northwestern Nigeria. He was Short serviced commissioned into the Nigerian Army infantry Corps in 1968 as a member of SSC 4 he attended the following courses
General Bamaiyi prior to becoming the Chief of Army Staff held the following post
General Bamaiyi was appointed Chief of Army Staff in March 1996 by General Sanni Abacha. He served as COAS for 3 years until his retirement on May 1999

Controversy

Attempted murder allegations

On 10 December 1999 Gen Bamaiya was charged with the attempted Murder of Guardian Newspaper Publisher Alex Ibru on 2 February 1996 alongside the former Chief Security Officer to Gen Abacha, Major Hamza al-Mustapha, and others by the Lagos state government.
Bamaiyi who served under the military administration of late General Sani Abacha was arraigned by the Lagos state government of the attempted murder of publisher of the Guardian newspaper, Mr. Alex Ibru, and an eminent Delta state indigene, Mr. Isaac Porbeni
He was discharged and acquitted on 2 April 2008 of any wrongdoing in the saga after nine years in detention

Feud with Musa Bamaiyi

Ishaya and his older brother, Musa Bamaiyi reportedly feuded for years leading to Musa seeking redress from the Human Rights Violation Investigation Commission Panel, headed by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa.