The Nigerian Army has announced that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on leave.
This decision comes in light of reports indicating that the COAS is incapacitated due to health issues.
Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu clarified that established protocols ensure a seamless continuity in leadership.
He stated that Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, will serve as acting COAS during Lagbaja’s absence.
In his signed statement, Nwachukwu emphasized that the COAS’s leave will not disrupt the Army’s operations.
According to Nwachukwu: “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.
“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.”
