The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports on social media that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is dead.
The reports which started from a post by a Nigerian journalist claimed Lagbaja died of cancer 48 hours ago in an overseas hospital. The post went viral and further fuelled the rumour.
The journalist’s post read’ “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is dead. A senior government official told me he died 48 hours ago of stage 3 cancer. His death is being kept secret because some generals are lobbying for his position.”
It also gave details about Lagbaja’s background, saying he was born on February 28, 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State and was appointed 27th Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.
The Nigerian Army replied on X (formerly Twitter) saying the news is fake.
But sources at Army Headquarters confirmed the Army Chief is ill. One of them said: “COAS is not dead; he is critically ill. This is a time for prayers not rumour.”
Another source said Lagbaja had travelled abroad for medical treatment but had not heard of his death. “He is receiving treatment overseas and there’s no way such news could be hidden if true,” the source added.
According to the Punch, attempts to reach the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu for further clarification was unsuccessful as his phone was switched off and he had not responded to messages.
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