*Pix above: Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja
The Defence Headquarters has announced a new acting Chief of Army Staff as the incumbent, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja proceeded on official leave.
Recall that there were speculations about Lagbaja’s absence with some sources suggesting health issues.
It was also said that the development has led to intense lobbying of politicians and influential retired generals by those eager to succeed Lagbaja.
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.
However, the Defence Headquarters in a statement issued by Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations on Saturday, dismissed insinuation that there is a leadership vacuum in the Nigeria Army.
Nwachukwu explained that Lagbaja is on official leave, and necessary protocols have been put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.
He said: “There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing could be further from the truth.
“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.
“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence. Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.”
Explaining that promotions for officers have not been stalled by the COAS’s absence, Onyema added that the results of the Captain-to-Major promotion exam had been released following the approval of the Chief of Policy and Plans.
He said, “Indeed, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-to-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure.
“Subsequently, and in line with extant procedures, the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the results after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently represents the Chief of Army Staff during his absence on leave and medical check-up abroad. Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos.
“This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna. The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management.”
Also, contrary to the insinuation that the COAS’s absence due to his leave has caused undue delays in the release of the WO-MWO promotion exercise results, Onyema clarified that it has never been the practice for the COAS to personally sign postings or promotions for officers and soldiers in the Nigerian Army.
“The appropriate departmental chiefs perform these functions routinely. These Departmental Chiefs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy.
“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the NA and be assured that the service remains on top of the security situation in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory,” he added.(agency)///
Defence headquarters appoints acting Chief of Army Staff to replace Lagbaja who proceeds on official leave
