The Nigerian Army has dismissed the circulating rumors regarding the alleged death of General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff.
These rumors gained traction following a tweet from Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide and social media commentator, which quickly went viral.
“CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF DIES OF CANCER: The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official. The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position. Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff,” Ude had posted at exactly 12:49pm.
The Nigerian Army has repeatedly refuted claims regarding the alleged health issues of General Lagbaja, labeling Ude's tweet as FAKE NEWS on social media.
On Saturday, Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu addressed media speculation about a potential leadership vacuum due to Lagbaja's absence, clarifying that the General is on official leave. He assured that appropriate measures have been established for Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), to assume responsibilities in Lagbaja's stead during this period.
Nwachukwu, a major general, stressed that Lagbaja's absence is not hindering the Army's operations.
“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing could be further from the truth.”
“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.
“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three 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 spokesperson stated that all regular and planned operations of the service are proceeding as scheduled. He emphasized that the relevant departmental leaders are effectively fulfilling their duties in accordance with the directives of the Chief of Army Staff.
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