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Tinubu Appoints Major General Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff

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President Bola Tinubu has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff.

 

Major General Olufemi Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

 

This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

He said Oluyede will hold sway as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is said to be indisposed and is 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),” 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.

 

The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates 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.

Death Rumours

months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence. Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.”

 

The army spokesman said all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course, adding that the appropriate departmental chiefs are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS directives.

 

DHQ Debunks Death Rumours

Similarly, the Defence Headquarters said that there was never an appointment of an acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) to replace Taoreed Lagbaja, who it said is on annual leave.

 

Defence spokesman, Tukur Gusau, in a statement on October 21, also issued a warning to those calling for a military coup, describing it as a treasonable offence under the law.

 

“The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) wishes to clarify that it has not announced the appointment of any senior officer as the acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), contrary to speculation by certain media outlets. For the record, no such appointment exists within the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

 

“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 the 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 standard military procedures.”

 

Gusau, a Brigadier General, also called on individuals spreading unfounded rumours to desist from doing so immediately.

 

He explained that Lagbaja is hale and hearty and will soon resume normal duties at the end of his leave.

 

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Notorious Bandit, Samagi Reportedly Captured In Katsina 

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The Katsina State Community Watch Corps has reportedly captured Samagi, a top commander in the bandit network led by notorious kingpin Kachalla Maha in Katsina State.

 

The group was reportedly responsible for the death of former Director of Defence Information, Major General Rabe Abubakar (rtd.).

Samagi was apprehended alongside another associate.

Samagi’s gang has been linked to several brutal attacks across the Matazu area of the state.

The development came a few days after Katsina vigilantes arrested two suspected ammunition suppliers to Kachalla Maha.

Meanwhile, bandits have continued to terrorise the North-West region amid worsening insecurity, with kidnappings and killings recorded in parts of the region.

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NDLEA Officer Drowns Into River Chasing Suspect

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The National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, on Saturday lost one of its officers while another is battling for his life after they reportedly jumped into the River Ethiope while pursuing fleeing suspects in Obiaruku, Ukwuani Local Government Area of Delta State.

 

The drug enforcement operation, however, turned fatal after the body of one of the officers was later recovered from the river.

The suspect and others being pursued reportedly escaped through the river.

Report quote community sources, as saying that a suspected drug offender who had reportedly been apprehended on the other side of the river jumped into the water while being taken towards the River Ethiope Bridge in an attempt to escape.

The officers pursuing the suspect subsequently entered the river in an effort to apprehend him. One of the officers reportedly drowned, while another was rescued and taken to a hospital for medical attention.

Community sources said traditional rites associated with drowning incidents in Obiaruku were performed before the remains were released to the relevant authorities.

Report said the rites included the provision of a goat and other items.

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24-Year-Old Cult Leader Arrested Over Calabar Viral Shooting 

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The Cross River State Police Command has arrested a 24-year-old student, Emmanuel Ejim, in connection with a viral video allegedly showing suspected cult members firing gunshots from a moving vehicle in Calabar.

 

The Command, in a statement signed by its Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Sunday Eitokpah, said the incident occurred in the early hours of September 17, 2026, prompting Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, to direct the immediate identification and arrest of those involved.

According to the police, the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, and operatives of the Violence Crime Response Unit (VCRU) commenced an intelligence-led operation at about 11:30 p.m. on September 17.

The operation, the Command said, led to the identification and tracking of the vehicle captured in the viral footage and the subsequent arrest of its driver.

The information obtained from the driver reportedly helped the police trace Ejim to a hotel in Calabar, where he was arrested.

The police identified Ejim as a student of the University of Cross River (UNICROSS) and said he allegedly identified himself during questioning as a leader of the Vikings Confraternity.

He allegedly admitted being the person seen firing the shots in the viral video.

The suspect also allegedly told investigators that he participated in a sign-out activity on the day of the incident and that another suspected member of the group handed him the pistol allegedly used in the shooting.

The Command said efforts had been intensified to identify and arrest other persons linked to the incident, adding that the circumstances surrounding the possession of the firearm and movement of the vehicle remained under investigation.

The Commissioner of Police directed that the investigation be conducted professionally and comprehensively, with anyone found to have participated in or facilitated the alleged act brought before the law.

The Command warned that the unlawful discharge of firearms in public places constituted a serious security concern and urged residents to report suspicious movements, possession of firearms and cult-related activities to the police.

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