Army breaks silence on appointing new Chief of Army Staff amid death rumours of Lagbaja

The Defence Headquarters has dispelled reports claiming it appointed a senior officer as the Acting Chief of Army Staff.

Speculation about the health of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who has been on leave and out of the country since September, intensified after viral reports of his death, which were swiftly dismissed by Army Headquarters.

Amid these rumors, another report surfaced, suggesting the Defence Headquarters had appointed an Acting Chief of Army Staff.

Refuting the claim in a statement on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, stated that there is no provision for an Acting Chief of Army Staff in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Dismissing any notion of a leadership vacuum, Gusau clarified that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, has been providing routine briefs to the Chief of Army Staff in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.

He said, “The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify that it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as Acting Chief of Army Staff, contrary to speculation by certain media outlets. No such appointment exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.”

He further explained, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave. The Armed Forces of Nigeria is professionally managed, and all Service Chiefs are performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitution. Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with Standard Operating Procedures.”

Gusau also warned against the spread of unfounded rumors about the Army, urging individuals behind these rumors to desist immediately.