The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports which claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead.
The report had claimed that Lagbaja passed away in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48 hours ago due to stage three cancer.
However, the Nigerian Army in a post via its official X handle on Sunday, dismissed the report and labelled it as fake news.
following concerns about the whereabouts of Lagbaja, the Nigerian Army had assured the public that there is no leadership vacuum within the service despite the ongoing official leave of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, clarified that Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been designated to act on behalf of the COAS during Lagbaja’s absence.
Maj. Gen. Nwachukwu emphasized that the necessary protocols are in place to ensure the seamless operation of the Army.
Explaining that the COAS’s absence has not stalled promotions for officers, Onyema added that the results of the Captain-to-Major promotion exam had been released following the approval of the Chief of Policy and Plans.
Prior to Saturday’s clarification by the Army, certain reports had claimed Lagbaja was allegedly grappling with an undisclosed health issues and top military officers are reportedly vying for his position.
Sources informed SaharaReporters that the situation has escalated as Lagbaja’s health concerns have prompted speculations regarding his future in the position.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, Lagbaja is the 27th Chief of Army Staff, taking over from Faruk Yahaya on June 23, 2023.
The Chief of Army Staff plays a crucial role within the Nigerian military hierarchy, reporting to the Chief of Defence Staff, who, in turn, is accountable to the Defence Minister and the President of Nigeria.
