The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has affirmed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja is hale and hearty as the Chief of Defence Staff, CDS Christopher Musa, spoke with him ‘few minutes ago’.
DHQ said this while dismissing claim of appointment of the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) saying no such position exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria in a statement by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, on Monday morning in Abuja.
According to him, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave.
He said the armed forces was professionally managed, adding that all the Service Chiefs were performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Gusau clarified that Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, was providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with standard military procedures.
“The DHQ urges individuals spreading unfounded rumours to desist from doing so immediately
The COAS is hale and hearty and will soon resume normal duties at the end of his leave.
“Media organisations are advised to verify information with the appropriate authorities before releasing fake news to the public,” he said.
The defence spokesman warned those advocating for a military takeover be aware that such actions were treasonable under the Constitution.
According to him, the armed forces is steadfastly committed to the preservation and advancement of our democracy and are loyal to President Bola Tinubu’s administration.
“The military remains focused on achieving its statutory responsibilities of protecting the nation’s integrity.
“The relative peace being enjoyed today is a direct result of the President’s support for the military and the dedication of the AFN leadership.
“To this end, the AFN and relevant security agencies have been mandated to take necessary action against any individual or group advocating for unconstitutional changes in the country.
The CDS appreciates Nigerians for their support and prayers. Victory is assured,” he added.
The Nigerian Army had yesterday also dismissed the rumoured death of Lagbaja in an undisclosed hospital abroad as reported by some online publications.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj -Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu issued a statement that the COAS was on leave and also attending to his health outside the country.
Nwachukwu said that there was no leadership vacuum in the Nigerian Army, clarifying that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, was in charge of affairs in the army.
He said that while some of the stories were laughable and deserved no further reference, others had bothered on pure mischief calculated to cause panic and confusion within the rank and file, as well as the general public.
“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), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away.
This is not peculiar to the army as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence.
“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the Nigerian Army and be assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.
“Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt.-Gen.T. A. Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him,” he said.