Amid reports of a leadership vacuum in the Nigerian Army following reports of its chief, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, being abroad for a medical leave, the Army has come out with a statement to say all is well as its chief of policy and plans (COPP) is effectively holding the fort.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Saturday in Abuja dismissed what he described as ‘social media stories, rumours, and innuendoes’ about happenings in the Nigerian army.
According to him, Lagbaja is on official leave.
His official statement appears to have been a reaction to a report in an online newspaper, Sahara Reporters, which gave details of alleged jostling by top officers to fill in the opening created by the absence of the army chief.
The newspaper said Lagbaja is allegedly grappling with an undisclosed health issue, and top military officers are reportedly vying for his position.
The report reads further: Sources informed SaharaReporters that the situation has escalated as Lagbaja’s health concerns have prompted speculations regarding his future in the position.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, Lagbaja is the 27th Chief of Army Staff, taking over from Farouk Yahaya on June 23, 2023.
The Chief of Army Staff plays a crucial role within the Nigerian military hierarchy, reporting to the Chief of Defence Staff, who, in turn, is accountable to the Defence Minister and the President of Nigeria.
Recent developments indicate that Lagbaja was flown abroad by family members for medical treatment, with sources describing his ailment as “strange.”
“The Chief of Army Staff is nowhere to be found for many days now. He hasn’t been seen at the Army headquarters or any military function in the last three weeks. I can confirm to you that he is seriously sick and was taken to the hospital. However, his family members arranged for him to be moved out of the country for medical treatment,” one of the sources had said.
“The COAS is a leader and most of the Major Generals are doing anyhow because they have no one to report to currently. Anybody can fall sick but someone needs to be in charge. I wish him a very quick recovery, I have known him since our days in Makurdi, Benue State. We were both young officers then and he was a captain.”
A Major had also said, “As military men, we were taught to be observant, so I noticed he was not at the October 1 Independence Day parade ground in Abuja. I asked my superiors including a general and I was told that he was out of the country. You know, it is unusual for him not to be around at that time.
“Also, the 2024 promotion list of soldiers which was completed a few weeks back is yet to be signed by the COAS. I was told that the Chief of Administration cannot do it because it will escalate the COAS’s absence. Some of my subordinates who are due for promotion are already grumbling.”
Lagbaja’s health has taken a turn for the worse, causing significant concern within the military, according to multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Friday. According to them, the Chief of Army Staff is now bedridden and incapacitated due to his deteriorating condition.
“His health is seriously deteriorating and he is currently capable. He is on sick bed; he can’t hear what people are saying again, just like someone with hearing problems. We are praying for his quick recovery,” one of the sources said.
“So it’s a very serious illness but the Army authorities can never disclose it now. Even before this stage, General Lagbaja was prepared to resign because of the heath challenge.”
SaharaReporters learnt that Lagbaja’s health issues have sparked intense lobbying among senior military officers to succeed him as Chief of Army Staff. Major Generals secretly campaign and lobby influential figures, including top politicians, traditional rulers, lawmakers, and military godfathers, to secure the position.
As Lagbaja’s health continues to deteriorate, the race for his replacement gains momentum. His background and experience make his departure significant. As a seasoned military officer, Lagbaja has held various command, staff, and instructional appointments. His previous roles include serving as the General Officer Commanding at Headquarters 82 Division and Headquarters 1 Division.
If Lagbaja does not recover from the “strange” ailment, one thing is certain – the next Chief of Army Staff will face significant challenges in leading the Nigerian Army.
“With the kind of ailment he (Lagbaja) is battling with, no President will allow him to continue in that position even if discharged from the hospital. So serious lobbying is going on now underground for his replacement by some senior Army officers right now, especially those from course 40/41,” one of the sources said.
Earlier, Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, told SaharaReporters that Lagbaja was on leave and entitled to it after working “so hard for the country”.
He had said, “If the Chief of Army staff travels out after working for many years, are you saying it’s wrong for him to travel out when he is on leave? So if you work for years and go for a few weeks’ vacation or something, does it mean you are sick? So because we are in uniform, we should die working?
“For instance, I have worked for almost seven years, I haven’t gone on leave. I didn’t go on leave till I went to bury my mum, when I was given a week-plus to go and bury my mum.
“Because we are in uniform, we should die working? We shouldn’t have a week or two for vacation. Is it even abnormal for someone to go for (medical) check-up? Must you even be sick before going for medical checkup? Are we not supposed to evaluate ourselves?
“We need to understand some things; for the past seven years, I haven’t gone on leave. It’s a call to national duty. People need to understand the sacrifices soldiers are making.
“There was a point that I came to my home and my children didn’t even know me.”
“I don’t think it’s out of place for myself or any other person, even if it’s a top brass in the army to travel out or in any of the services to travel out for rest or do a medical checkup or something. I don’t think there should be any fuss about that,” the army spokesperson had added.
In a related development, human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju in a statement released on Friday, wished Lagbaja, speedy recovery.
He said, “I’ve just received news that Lieutenant General Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, is dealing with an undisclosed health issue.
“It is important to note that anyone can fall sick and so, I call for empathy towards the army boss and his family.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt wishes for his speedy recovery.
“Moreover, the Nigerian Army should ensure a seamless transition of duties and maintain its operational effectiveness during Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s recovery.
“We pray for Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s swift recovery and return to duty.”
But in his official statement on Saturday, the army spokesman, Nwachukwu, said that while some of the stories were laughable and deserve no further reference, others had 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), Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS, while he is away.
“This is not peculiar to the army 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,” he said.
Mr Nwachukwu said that the claims of leadership vacuum in the army presently was a mere speculation, adding that all routine and scheduled activities of the service were on course.
According to him, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure.
He said that the Commander Traning and Doctrine Command, Maj.-Gen. 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, in line with extant procedures.
“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,” he added.
Army spokesman said it had never been the practice for the COAS to sign postings or promotions for both officers and soldiers in the army contrary to the insinuation that COAS’ absence had caused undue delay in the release of the result of the WO-MWO promotion exercise.
He added that the appropriate departmental chiefs perform those functions routinely, adding that they were 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 Nigerian army 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,” he said.
● With reports from NAN and Sahara Reporters.
