The Nigerian Army has said that there is no truth behind speculations that newly-promoted Lieutenant General, Lamidi O. Adeosun has replaced Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai.
A Tuesday statement signed by Acting Director Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, disclosed that President Muhammadu Buhari approved the promotion of Adeosun, who is the Chief of Training and Operations at Army Headquarters, from Major General to Lieutenant General.
Also promoted were Brigadier General AB Biu, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander Sector 1 Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, who has been promoted to the rank of Major General, and AJ Danjibrin of 211 Demonstration Battalion Bauchi, who has been promoted from Lieutenant to Captain.
The statement said that the two senior officers and the subaltern were promoted for extra-ordinary feats, courage, examplary leadership, loyalty, uncommon commitment and valour in the counter insurgency operation in the North Eastern part of the country.
After the announcement, rumours were rife that Adeosun, who is now on the same rank as the current Chief of Army Staff Buratai, had replaced the latter.
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It was further said that Buratai, who is due for retirement, would replace the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Abayomi Olonishakin.
But in a follow-up statement, the Army debunked the claim, stating that Adeosun remains the Chief of Training and Operations at Army Headquarters.
The statement, also signed by the army spokesman, read, “Contrary to fake news going round insinuating or suggesting appointment of Lieutenant General LO Adeosun as Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army, members of the public are hereby once again informed that Lieutenant General LO Adeosun has just been given special/accelerated promotion from Major General to Lieutenant General and formally communicated to him by the Chief of Army Staff Lt Gen TY Buratai.
“Lt Gen LO Adeosun is only granted special promotion by the President, Commander -in – Chief, of the Armed Forced of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari for his extra ordinary feats, exemplary leadership, loyalty and uncommon commitment in the counter insurgency operation in the North Eastern part of Nigeria. He still retains his appointment/position as Chief of Training and Operations of the Nigerian Army.
“Any contrary information is baseless, fake news and should be disregarded.”
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