“Lagbaja Alive and Well’ -Nigerian Army Debunks False Death Reports
The Nigerian Army has swiftly dismissed viral reports claiming that the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has passed away.
The rumors originated from a social media post by Nigerian journalist Jackson Ude, who alleged that Lagbaja had died from stage three cancer in an undisclosed hospital overseas.
According to Ude’s post, Lagbaja’s death was supposedly kept secret due to intense lobbying by generals seeking to fill the position. However, the Nigerian Army has stamped Ude’s claim as “fake news” and assured the public that Lagbaja is alive.
Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army spokesperson, clarified that Lagbaja is currently on official leave, and necessary protocols have been put in place for Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim to act on his behalf. Nwachukwu emphasized that Lagbaja’s absence has not affected the Army’s operations.
“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,” Nwachukwu stated. “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 has reaffirmed its commitment to maintaining stability and security in the country, despite the baseless rumors.
