“No Acting Chief of Army Staff: DHQ Confirms Lagbaja’s Return and Addresses Coup Concerns”

• No Acting COAS Appointment: The DHQ clarifies that there is no acting Chief of Army Staff in the Nigerian Armed Forces.
• Current COAS: Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja remains COAS and is on leave.
• Role of Major General Ibrahim: Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim continues to provide routine briefs to the COAS.
• Public Assurance: The DHQ reassures the public of the COAS’s good health and urges an end to spreading rumors.

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has officially stated that there is currently no appointment for an acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in the Armed Forces of Nigeria. In a statement released on Monday by Director Defence Information Tukur Gusau, the DHQ clarified that Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim serves as the Chief of Policy and Plans and has not been appointed as acting COAS.

The statement confirmed that Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja remains the COAS, currently on leave, and is expected to resume his duties immediately upon his return. The DHQ emphasized that the military is being managed professionally, with all Service Chiefs fulfilling their constitutional responsibilities.

“The Defence Headquarters wishes to clarify that it has not announced any appointment for an acting COAS, contrary to speculation in certain media outlets. For the record, no such appointment exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria,” the statement noted. It reassured the public that Lieutenant General Lagbaja is in good health and will resume normal duties following his annual leave.

The DHQ urged those spreading unfounded rumors to cease immediately and advised media organizations to verify information with relevant authorities before disseminating news. The statement concluded by confirming that the Chief of Defence Staff had communicated with the COAS shortly before the announcement.