No Acting Chief Of Army Staff – DHQ Reveals When Lagbaja Will Resume, Speaks On Military Coup

The Defence Head Quarters (DHQ) has disclosed that contrary to media speculations, it did not announce the appointment of a Senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

This is as the DHQ clarified that Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, remains the Chief of Policy and Plans, and has not been appointed as the acting Chief of Army Staff.

The DHQ, in a statement on Monday by the Director Defence Information, Tukur Gusau, said Lt. Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, remains the COAS, and  Ibrahim provides routine briefs to the COAS as per standard operating procedure.

The DHQ added that Lagbaja is on leave and would resume immediately after his leave.

“The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to clarify that it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), contrary to speculation by certain media outlets. For the record, no such appointment exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave. The AFN is professionally managed and all the Service Chiefs are performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitutionof the FGN. Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine briefs to the COAS as per SOP.

“The DHQ urges individuals spreading unfounded rumours to desist from doing so immediately. The COAS is hail and hearty and will soon resume normal duties at the end of his leave.

“Media organizations are advised to verify information with the appropriate authorities before releasing fake news to the public. The CDS had only spoken with the COAS a few minutes ago,” the statement reads.