News

Army: No vacuum in leadership over Lagbaja’s absence

The Nigerian Army says the absence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has not created a vacuum in the service’s leadership.

The army said this in a statement on Saturday, October 19, 2024.

It stated that Lagbaja is on official leave, adding that necessary protocols have been put in place for the army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.

The Nigerian Army noted: “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 is away.

Troops kill over 101 terrorists, nabs commander, 182 others

“This is not peculiar to the NA 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. Claims of leadership vacuum in the NA presently is therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the Service are on course.

“Indeed, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the NA recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure. Subsequently and in line with extant procedures, the Commander Traning and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the result after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans, who currently answers for the Chief of Army Staff in his absence on leave and medical checkup abroad.

“Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos. This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna.”

The Star

Segun Ojo

Recent Posts

EFCC declares Aisha Achimugu wanted for money laundering

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared popular Nigerian businesswoman, Aisha Achimugu, wanted…

38 minutes ago

Premier League alters transfer window for Club World Cup

The Premier League will have two transfer windows this summer to allow Manchester City and…

49 minutes ago

Canada PM: Era of close ties with U.S. over, we’ll fight auto tariffs

The era of deep economic, security and military ties between Canada and the United States…

3 hours ago

Annie Idibia thanks supporters amid separation from 2baba

Nollywood actress Annie Idibia, the estranged wife of award-winning musician Innocent Idibia, popularly known as…

3 hours ago

IMF appoints Tony Elumelu to Advisory Council on Entrepreneurship, Growth

Heirs Holdings Founder and Group Chair, Tony O. Elumelu, CFR, has been appointed by the…

4 hours ago

Chelsea to face Barcelona in women’s Champions League semi-finals

Chelsea's women, on Thursday, overturned a two-goal first leg deficit to beat Manchester City 3-0…

4 hours ago