President Bola Tinubu has named Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in the absence of the incumbent, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is reportedly undergoing medical treatment outside the country.
This was announced on Wednesday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed Oluyede’s temporary appointment.
The statement clarified that Oluyede, who until now commanded the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, will fill the role of COAS until Lagbaja’s return.
Oluyede, 56, and Lagbaja, both members of the Nigerian Army’s 39th Regular Course, share a long history of military service, with Oluyede being commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992 and promoted to Major General in 2020.
With extensive operational experience, Oluyede has held several posts, including roles in the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) Mission in Liberia, Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi, and Operation HADIN KAI in the North East, where he led the 27 Task Force Brigade.
Oluyede has earned numerous commendations, including the Corps Medal of Honour and the Grand Service Star.
The announcement comes amid reports regarding Lagbaja’s health, with some unsubstantiated reports even alleging his death.
A statement from Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide, claimed that Lagbaja had passed away from stage three cancer, prompting a solid rebuttal from army officials on October 20.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s spokesperson, dismissed these claims as “fake news,” clarifying that Lagbaja is on annual leave and that the army’s operational activities remain unaffected.
Also, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman, Tukur Gusau, confirmed on October 21 that there has been no official appointment of an acting COAS to replace Lagbaja, further stating that discussions or calls for a military coup in Nigeria are criminal and treasonous under Nigerian law.
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 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 statement reads in part.
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