Defence HQ: Lagbaja's Foreign Treatment Won't Disrupt Leadership

Lagbaja Receives Medical Care Abroad, No Leadership Vacuum - Defence Headquarters

“There have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three...”

Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, receives medical treatment abroad - defence HQ assures seamless leadership transition.

Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, is currently receiving medical treatment abroad due to illness, according to the Defence Headquarters. To alleviate concerns about leadership continuity, Director of Army Public Relations Onyema Nwachukwu clarified that Lagbaja has ensured a seamless transition during his absence, which coincides with his annual leave.

Nwachukwu's statement came in response to public concerns regarding Lagbaja's absence from recent events. As the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja has had a distinguished career, serving in various capacities, including as General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division and Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State. His leadership experience and strategic thinking have been instrumental in maintaining stability and security in Nigeria.

Facts about Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja:

Appointed Chief of Army Staff: June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu 

Previous Roles: General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division, Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja 

Education: Nigerian Defence Academy, United States Army War College 

Military Experience: Operation HARMONY IV, United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

“There have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months,” the army spokesperson said.

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

Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director of Army Public Relations, has reassured the public that the Nigerian Army's operations are running smoothly despite the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, being abroad for medical treatment. All routine and scheduled activities are proceeding as planned, and departmental chiefs are carrying out their duties in line with Lagbaja's directives.

Nwachukwu emphasized that Lagbaja's absence hasn't disrupted key processes, such as promotions for officers. In fact, the results of the Captain-to-Major promotion exam have already been released. He urged the public to disregard speculation about a leadership vacuum and trust that the Nigerian Army remains committed to serving the nation. With everything under control, there's no cause for concern.

“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,” he said.

“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.”