No acting Chief of Army Staff appointment - DHQ

No senior officer has been named as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), according to Defence Headquarters (DHQ).

It stated that the Armed Forces do not have such an appointment.

The explanation followed rumours on social media and several internet sites on the purported death of Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the COAS.

On Saturday, the Nigerian Army administration provided clarification, stating that Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja was on leave and travelling abroad for medical examinations.

It clarified that there was no leadership void, as some had been speculating, and that the appropriate procedures had been put in place for Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), to act on the COAS's behalf before he left.

The Chief of Policy and Plans is only "providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with standard military procedures," according to a statement released by the DHQ on Monday by Brig-Gen. Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information. The statement further clarified that the COAS is not the acting COAS and that appointments of this nature are not terminated in the military.

"The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to clarify that, contrary to speculation by certain media outlets, it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS)," the statement states. For the record, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) do not have any such positions.

As part of his annual leave for 2024, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, is currently taking a well-earned break. The Nigerian Armed Forces are properly run, and all of the Service Chiefs are carrying out their responsibilities in accordance with the FGN Constitution. As is customary in the military, Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, Chief of Policy and Plans, is giving the COAS routine briefings.

"Those who are circulating false information are urged by DHQ to stop right away. The COAS is well and will shortly return to his regular responsibilities after his leave is over.Before disseminating false information to the public, media outlets are urged to confirm details with the relevant authorities. The CDS had only made one statement with the COAS a few minutes ago.
.Furthermore, as seen in a widely shared video, individuals who support a military coup ought to be informed that their activities constitute treason under the Constitution.

The DHQ gave assurances that the military was devoted to upholding and advancing our democracy and faithful to President and Chief of Staff Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

"The military remains focused on fulfilling its statutory responsibilities of safeguarding the integrity of the country," the statement read.

In light of this, it is the obligation of the Armed Forces of Nigeria and other pertinent security agencies to take appropriate action against any person or organisation that supports illegitimate changes in the nation.