Nigerian Army appoints Abdulsalami Bagudu acting chief, as ‘COAS Lagbaja embarks on leave’

The Nigerian Army has confirmed that its Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is on leave amid reports of his incapacitation due to health concerns.

Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, assured the public that there will be no leadership vacuum during Lagbaja’s absence, as Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, will act on his behalf. Nwachukwu emphasized that the COAS’s leave will not disrupt the army’s operations, as there are established processes in place to ensure smooth continuity.

The confirmation followed reports of Lagbaja’s health condition, although the Army has not disclosed specific details about his current situation.

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.”