Maj. Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim takes helm as acting COAS

October 20, 2024

By Samuel Ogunsona

The Nigerian Army has assured that the absence of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, does not create a leadership vacuum.

Lagbaja is currently on official leave, and the necessary protocols have been put in place for Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), to act on his behalf.

According to Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, “Lagbaja’s absence does not impact the service’s operations. This move ensures continuity and stability within the Nigerian Army”

As the acting Chief of Army Staff, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim will oversee the daily operations and strategic decisions of the army until Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s return.

He said, “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.

“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 a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are 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 Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-to-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure. Subsequently, and in line with extant procedures, the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the results after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently represents the Chief of Army Staff during his absence on leave and medical check-up 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 results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management.”

The Nigerian Army’s proactive measures demonstrate its commitment to maintaining effective leadership and ensuring national security.