JUST IN: Tinubu Promotes Acting COAS Oluyede As Lagbaja’s Fate Remains Uncertain

President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday decorated the acting Chief of Army Staff, Olufemi Oluyede, as Lieutenant General.

It was gathered that the short ceremony took place in the President’s office complex at the State House, Abuja.

“President Tinubu decorates acting Chief of Army Staff, Oluyede, as Lt. General,” a snippet from the president’s communications team read on Tuesday.

Tinubu had appointed Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday, even as his predecessor, Taoreed Lagbaja, remains indisposed for weeks.

The decoration suggests Mr Oluyede will permanently replace Taoreed Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, who has been indisposed for some weeks.

However, presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga told PREMIUM TIMES on Tuesday afternoon that Mr Oluyede is still acting army chief.

“Oluyede is still the acting chief of army staff,” Mr Onanuga wrote in response to PREMIUM TIMES enquiry on the topic. He did not provide further details.

As of the time of this report, it is not clear what Mr Lagbaja’s fate is but a source said the presidency will release a statement on the matter later on Tuesday.