COAS’ Health: “In Absence Of COAS, Major General Bagudu Is Standing In” – Nigerian Army

By Adesina Soyooye

The Army Headquarters on Saturday moved to douse the anxiety over the health status of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.

In the past couple of days, anxiety over his health status had been raised high considerably.

It was SaharaReprters which first broke the news that Lagbaja was very ill and has been flown out of the Country by his family members.

While many doubted the angle that it was his family that flew him out, and asked: why not the Federal Government, Defence Headquarters or the Army, it is now confirmed that, indeed, the COAS is ill and the Chief of Policy and Plans, Nigerian Army, Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu, is standing-in for him.

Reports had insisted that the COAS was so ill he no longer had any sense of hearing. There was also the insinuation that a number of things, including promotions were at a standstill and, therefore, triggered a brewing discontent. There were also hints of alleged quiet struggle and lobby for Lagbaja’s high profile office among senior Army Officers.

But the Nigerian Army, in a statement, made light of the health status of the COAS, and dismissed, as utter rubbish, the insinuations that nobody was in charge; that Senior Officers were in a struggle for Lagbaja’s office; that activities, and especially, promotions, were at a standstill.

In the statement signed by Army’s Director of Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, it said the COAS is on a medical vacation, and revealed that until he returns, Major General Bagudu is standing-in for him. The COAS is, afterall, a human being, the statement noted.

Following, the full text of the Army’s statement as put out by Major General Nwachukwu.

“Recently, the media space, especially social media, has been awash with stories, rumours, and innuendos about happenings in the Nigerian Army(NA).

“While some of these are laughable and deserve no further reference, others have bordered on pure mischief calculated to cause panic and confusion within the rank and file, as well as the general public.

“Specifically, many insinuations about personnel postings, promotions, and even training activities have been raised vis-a-vis the official leave of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing can be farther 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 is 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 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 Nigerian Army 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 (Army), 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 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.

“Contrary to the insinuation that the absence of the COAS occasioned by his leave, has caused undue delay in the release of the result of the WO-MWO promotion exercise, the NA wishes to clarify that it has never been the practice for the COAS to sign postings or promotions for both officers and soldiers in the NA.

“The appropriate Departmental Chiefs perform these functions routinely. These Departmental Chiefs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy.

“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the NA and be assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.

“Meanwhile, the Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt Gen TA Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him.

“The Army Headquarters assures Nigerians and the international community that all land-related training, operational, and administrative activities are on course and that the COPP(A) is firmly and effectively running the affairs of the Service pending the return of the COAS.”

The absence of the COAS from official duties became public when he was nowhere to be seen during the activities which marked Nigeria’s 64th Independence Anniversary.