Oluyede Takes Over as New Chief of Army Staff

Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, today in Abuja, takes over as the 24th Chief of Army Staff. He replaces Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja who died recently after a brief illness. A formal ceremony entailing the lowering and raising of the command flag was staged at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Monday to start off his leadership. READ ALSO: Nigeria Correctional Service Under Fire for Handcuffing Dele Farotimi During Court Appearance Oluyede’s appointment followed his nomination by President Bola Tinubu on October 30, stepping into the role after the passing of his predecessor, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.  His position was confirmed by both the Senate and House of Representatives, ensuring his leadership was officially endorsed.   Prior to this role, Oluyede was the Commander of the elite Infantry Corps, headquartered in Jaji, Kaduna.  The 56-year-old officer was commissioned in 1992 and rose to the rank of Major General by September 2020.  His extensive military career spans years of service, and he shares a strong professional connection with his predecessor, as they were both members of the 39th Regular Course at the Nigeria Defence Academy.   The handover of the insignia of office by Chief of Defence Staff Gen Christopher Musa followed the provisions outlined in the Armed Forces Act, completing Oluyede’s transition into his new role.

Tinubu appoints Oluyede as acting COAS

President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS). Another Yoruba from the president’s ethnic extraction Gen Oluyede replaces Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, also a Yoruba. The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, in a statement on Wednesday said Oluyede will act as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,, who is said to be indisposed and receiving treatment abroad. “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). “Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” the statement reads. The current appointment further contradicts Nigeria’s Federal Character principle which encourages inclusivity in line with the country’s multiethnic composition. Currently, people of the president’s ethnic extraction dominate the management of the security aparatus and commanding heights of Nigeria’s public finance.

Army Speaks On Recruiting Repented Boko Haram Members

The Nigerian Army has refuted a viral report that it recruited repented Boko Haram members. The Army made this known in a statement on Sunday by its spokesman, Onyema Nwachuckwu. On Thursday, one Hauwakulu Tabra was reported to have been killed by Adamu Muhammad, a soldier she was in a relationship with, at the army barracks in Enugu. A report on Saturday said two senior military officers alleged that the soldier was a repented Boko Haram member who joined the Civilian Joint Task Force and was later enlisted into the Nigerian Army in 2021. But according to the statement, the Army said while it is highly regrettable that the lady was killed, the incident should not be used to propagate the claim that the act was committed by a repentant Boko Haram member recruited into the Nigerian Army. It also condoled with the family of the deceased and reiterated that at no time did it enlist repentant Boko Haram members into its fold “as mischievously insinuated”. However, the Army stated that at no point in time, either in the past or present enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength. The statement read: “The NA has at no point in time, either in the past or present enlisted repentant Boko Haram members to its strength. However, considerations were given to Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) who in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North East distinguished themselves morally and patriotically. “Such members of the CJTF must have also shown commitment, dedication and loyalty to the service and the nation. “The sad incident of the gruesome murder of Miss Hauwakulu Tabra by Private Adamu Muhammad occurred on the night of Thursday 11 April 2024 and her corpse was discovered within the barracks on Friday 12 April 2024. “Preliminary investigations revealed that the late Hauwakulu Tabra was actually murdered by the said soldier, who is presently in detention for further investigation to unravel the motive behind his actions. “The general public should be rest assured that justice will be served, as the NA will not condone any unprofessional conduct or indiscipline within its ranks.”

Elder statesman Edwin Clark knocks military for raiding his home in Delta

Elder statesman and National Leader of the Pan-Niger Delta Forum, Chief Edwin Clark, has knocked the Nigerian military over an incursion into his residence located in the Kiagbodo Local Government Area of Delta State. In a statement issued on Tuesday, Clark expressed his dismay over the incident, detailing how armed soldiers stormed his residence in search of a suspect named “Vote” allegedly linked to the recent killing of 17 soldiers in Okuama. According to him, the military men had reportedly arrived in five trucks loaded with armed soldiers, numbering between 30 and 40, while at the same time flying drones within the premises. He said, “Some of them went to the buildings behind the main house and broke all the doors that were locked. They matched out my staff living in those buildings, including lecturers at the university, and made them sit on bare ground. “They also broke into my late brother, Ambassador Akporode Blessing Clark’s house. “A man who served this country internationally in various capacities, including as Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as both of us share the same premises. “They brought out his son almost naked, as the young man was taking a bath when they stormed the house. “All their phones were seized. The people had to identify themselves and told them whose house it was before they asked for my telephone number, which they said they would pass to their “oga” before they all departed. “One would have expected that at this juncture, a call could have been put to the Governor of Delta State, to inform him of what happened”. Clark described the authorisation of such raids as “disrespectful and unlawful”, having served the country nearly 70 years in different capacities. “Again, I call on the various state actors to let me live in peace and treat me with the kind of respect that I deserve, having served this country, and still serving even at the age of 97 years, until when it will please the Almighty God to call me home. “I want to end this write-up by addressing all concerned with what I told President Muhammadu Buhari when my security details were withdrawn. “If I die today as a result of a natural occurrence, it will be a joyful celebration. But if my death is linked to any dubious means by some overzealous state actors, no one can tell how far the fire will rage. This is not a threat. It is an acknowledgement of God’s mercies on me,” he added.

COAS Lagbaja Inaugurates Computer Lab Donated By Old Pupils

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.- Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has inaugurated an ultra modern Computer Laboratory at the Command Children School, Chindit Cantonment, Zaria. Lt. Christian Onyemachi, the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Nigerian Military School, Zaria, Kaduna State, said this in a statement issued on Saturday in Zaria. Onyemachi said the inauguration was part of the activities organised by the Army Staff School, Zaria, Old Pupils Association (ASSZOPA), to commemorate the golden jubilee of the school. He said Lagbaja was represented by the Commandant Depot Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen Mohammed Aminu Abdullahi, at the event. He said the COAS expressed joy in the celebration and commended the Old Pupils Association for being socially responsible by giving back to their almamata. He commended members of the association for donating the ultra modern laboratory to the school in commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the school. ““This will no doubt go a long way in preparing our children for the competitive world we live in. “You would all agree with me that technological advancement has made computer literacy compulsory as we can no longer function effectively without it in the world today,” Lagbaja said. The army chief acknowledged the ASSZOPA for selflessness, sacrifices and ingenuity in remodeling the school; adding that the Old Pupils Association understood the significance of primary education as the foundation of every successful person. The COAS expressed delight that the school has produced many successful men and women in Nigeria and Diaspora in all works of life. He, therefore, called for concerted and collaborative efforts of parents, teachers and various stakeholders, including alumni associations, to harness available opportunities to build a better future for the children. The special guest of honor emphasised that teachers should be conscious of the fact that they have a great responsibility and a delicate one towards the learners. He asserted that teachers have been entrusted with the responsibility of shaping and moulding the destiny of the children because they spend a significant time of the day with them. He stated that the foundation you lay today would be what they would build on to the future, and if that foundation is faulty, the rest of the structure is in danger of crumbling.