The Nigerian Army has released a statement refuting the fake news going around about President Buhari appointing Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun as the new Chief of Army Staff (COAS), saying he was only granted special promotion, but TY Buratai is still the COAS.
The statement released on Tuesday by the Nigerian Army reads:
“Contrary to fake news going around insinuating or suggesting the appointment of Lieutenant General LO Adeosun as Chief of Army Staff (COAS) of the Nigerian Army.
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 extraordinary feats, exemplary leadership, loyalty.
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”
President Muhammadu Buhari approved the accelerated promotion of two Generals and a Subaltern of the Nigerian Army as a reward for their gallantry and exemplary leadership of which Lt Gen Adeosun is one of them.
The Acting Director of the Nigerian Army Public Relations, Col. Sagir Musa, who disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja, said the officers were granted promotion for their extra-ordinary feats, courage, exemplary leadership, loyalty, uncommon commitment and valour in the counter-insurgency operation in the Northeastern part of the country.
He explained that the two senior officers were Maj.-Gen. L.O Adeosun, the Chief of Training and Operations at Army Headquarters, who has been promoted to the rank of Lieutenant-General.
The second officer is Brig.-Gen. A.B Biu, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and Commander, Sector 2 Operation LAFIYA DOLE Maiduguri, promoted to the rank of Major General.
“Also promoted to the rank of Captain is Lieutenant A.J Danjibrin of 211 Demonstration Battalion, Bauchi.
“The Federal Government has continued to demonstrate total and unflinching support to the Armed Forces in the bid to effectively contain the security situation in the country, especially activities of terrorists in the Northeast.
“In particular, the government has shown commitment to recognising excellence, dedication and commitment on the part of the personnel of the Nigerian Army.
“It is in this wise that President Buhari gave his approval.
“Buhari has conveyed his personal congratulations to the promoted officers and charged them to continue to be shining examples to their colleagues.
“Similarly, the Chief of Army Staff Lieut.-Gen. TY Buratai, on behalf of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, felicitates with the newly promoted officers and extends his best wishes to them in all their future endeavours,” he said.