General Yahaya succeeded Late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru who died on 21st May, 2021 in an ill fated plane crash along side 10 other military personnel in Kaduna during an official assignment. As part of his first official engagement, the army Chief paid a courtesy visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor to solicit support to thrive in his new responsibility. He however, called for a minute silence in honour of the late COAS and 10 other military officers involved in the incident. Until his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, Maj. General Farouq Yahaya was the theatre commander of Operation Hadin kai that is responsible for counter insurgency and terrorism operations in the North East zone.
