The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has refuted claims that an “acting chief of army staff (COAS)” has been appointed to fill in for “Taoreed Lagbaja.”
In a statement released on Monday, the DHQ clarified that Lagbaja is currently on his “annual leave” and remains “hale and hearty.”
There has been growing public concern over the whereabouts of the army chief. On Sunday, the Nigerian Army dismissed rumors of Lagbaja’s death, calling them “fake news.”
Earlier, the DHQ had announced that Lagbaja is undergoing medical treatment abroad.
Some reports circulated online suggesting that a senior officer had been appointed as an “acting COAS” to fill the leadership void.
Addressing these claims, Tukur Gusau, director of defense information, confirmed that Lagbaja is being kept up to date with “routine briefs” from “Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim,” the chief of policy and plans, as per “standard military procedures.”
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave,” the statement reads.
The DHQ emphasized that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) are professionally managed, and that all service chiefs, including Lagbaja, are fully engaged in their responsibilities as outlined 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 standard military procedures.”
The DHQ urged people spreading rumors to stop immediately, stating that “the COAS is hale and hearty and will soon resume normal duties at the end of his leave.”
Additionally, the DHQ warned those advocating for a “military takeover” in a “viral video” that such actions are “treasonable under the constitution.”
