- Military Denies Ceding Training Camp To Terrorists
The continued absence and uncertainty on the whereabout of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the substantive Chief of Army Staff (COAS) has triggered confusion as President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday appointed Major General 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. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja
The Defence Headquarters had dispelled reports that it appointed a senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff.
There were viral reports about his death, which were dismissed by the Army He`adquarters.
Amid the rumours of his death, another report emerged, claiming the DHQ had appointed an acting Chief of Army Staff.
Refuting the report in a statement on Monday, October 21, 2024 the Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Tukur Gusau said there is no provision for an acting Chief of Army Staff in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Dismissing any insinuation of a vacuum, Gusau clarified that the Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalam Ibrahim, has been providing routine briefs to the Chief of Army Staff 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.
READ ALSO: Tinubu Names Oluyede As Acting Chief Of Army Staff
“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General 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.”
Shockingly, Tinubu in a statement on Wednesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga announced that Oluyede will hold sway as the COAS in an acting capacity pending the return of Lt. General Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and is receiving treatment abroad.
Oluyede will act as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and receiving treatment abroad.
This development was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.
“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),” the statement read.
“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.
READ ALSO: Nigerian Army Refutes COAS Lagbaja’s Rumoured Death
The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were course mates and members of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.
Oluyede has held 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.
General 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.
Oluyede has earned many honours for his meritorious service in various fields of operations. These include the Corps Medal of Honour, the Grand Service Star, Passing the Staff Course, and Membership in the National Institute.
Meanwhile, the Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has dismissed claims by the Niger State House of Assembly that the Nigerian Army training camp in Kotangora has been taken over by bandits and terrorists.
In a statement signed by the Director, Defence Media Operations, Major General Edward Buba, the military said, “No inch of the training area has been ceded to terrorists”.
General Buba disclosed that troops had constantly eliminated the threat posed by terrorists crisscrossing the vast area, adding that their clearance operations in the area had denied the terrorist freedom of action.
He clarified that the ongoing operations, particularly in Niger, were targeted at terrorists, saying it was erroneous for such threats to be described in any other form other than terrorism.
According to him, the military is working closely with the Niger State government to ensure improved security in the state and for all citizens.
The Niger State House of Assembly during plenary on Tuesday said approximately 23 farming communities have fled their homes, following the occupation of a major military training camp in Kontagora Local Government Area in Niger State by armed bandits.
This takeover, according to them, has posed significant security risks, not only for the military personnel stationed there but also for the local communities that rely on the cantonment’s stability for their own safety.
