As COAS Lagbaja embarks on leave
The Nigerian Army has declared that the Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt-General Taoreed Lagbaja is on leave.
This is following reports that the COAS is currently indisposed and receiving treatment abroad.
Speaking on the development, the Army spokesman, Onyema Nwachukwu also dismissed claims of leadership vacuum in the Nigerian Army.
According to Nwachukwu, the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, Major-General AbdulSalami Ibrahim, would act on behalf of the COAS during his absence. In an issued statement he signed yesterday, Nwachukwu said the COAS leave wont affect the Armys operations.
According to the statement, 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.
The Army further assured the public that its commitment to national security and professionalism remains unwavering, urging Nigerians not to entertain baseless rumours about the health of military personnel or the stability of the force.
