COAS Spoke With CDS, He’s On Annual Leave – DHQ

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

Also, the DHQ said the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, spoke with the COAS, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, confirming that he was in good health.

There were speculations over the health of Lagbaja, who has been on leave and out of the country since September.

On Sunday, there were viral reports about his rumoured death, which were dismissed by the Army Headquarters.

Amid the rumours of his death, another report emerged, claiming the DHQ had appointed an acting Chief of the Army Staff.

Refuting the report in a statement on Monday, the Director of Defence Information, Brig Gen Tukur Gusau, said there was no provision for an acting Chief of Army Staff in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

He dismissed any insinuation of a vacuum, as he clarified that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj Gen Abdulsalam Ibrahim, had been providing routine briefs to the Chief of Army Staff, in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures.

“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. For the record, no such appointment exists within the AFN.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave.

“The AFN is professionally managed, and all Service Chiefs are performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitution of the FGN.

“Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with SOP,” he said.

Gusau warned those behind the several rumours against the army chief to desist from such acts.
|SituationReport|