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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff in contravention of the Armed Forces’ rules.
The president on Wednesday appointed Maj-Gen. Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
This development is coming after a recent denial about the whereabouts and health status of the substantive COAS, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja
The Defence Headquarters has dispelled reports that it appointed a senior officer as the acting COAS.
There were viral reports about Lagbaja’s death, which were dismissed by the army headquarters.
Amid the rumours of the COAS’ death, another report emerged, claiming the DHQ had appointed an acting army chief.
The Director of Defence Information, Brig- Gen. Tukur Gusau, in a statement on October 21 dismissed the rumours, saying there is no provision for an acting COAS in the Armed Forces.
Dismissing any insinuation of a leadership vacuum in the army, Gusau clarified that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, has been providing routine briefs to the COAS under the Standard Operating Procedures.
He said: “The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify that it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as Acting Chief of Army Staff, contrary to speculation by certain media outlets. For the record, no such appointment exists within the AFN.
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave. The AFN is professionally managed, and all 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 SOP.”
However, in a shocking twist, the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday announced that Oluyede would hold sway as the COAS in acting capacity pending the return of Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and receiving treatment abroad.
He said: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS).
“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the Elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992.
He rose to the rank of Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has led many commands since his commissioning as an officer.
He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.
Oluyede participated in several operations, including 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 theatre of operations, where he commanded 27 Task Force Brigade.
By: Babajide Okeowo
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