The Nigerian Army has officially denied widespread rumors regarding the death of its Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Speculations emerged online on Sunday, falsely claiming that the Army Chief had passed away in a foreign hospital after battling cancer.
The Army has labeled these reports as false and misleading, urging the public to dismiss the rumors and rely on verified information.
In a statement posted on its official X (formerly Twitter) account, @HQNigerianArmy, the Army strongly refuted the online claims.
The false report had circulated with headlines like “Chief of Army Staff Dies of Cancer,” suggesting that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja had succumbed to stage three cancer in a hospital abroad, with the news being allegedly kept secret due to internal power struggles within the military.
These rumors quickly gained traction, with some sources citing unnamed government officials as the basis for the claim.
According to the fabricated report, the death of the Chief of Army Staff was allegedly being concealed as several high-ranking officers were vying to replace him.
However, the Nigerian Army has made it clear that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is alive and well. The Army emphasized the importance of not falling for unverified news and misinformation, which can destabilize public confidence.
They further reassured the nation that the leadership of the Nigerian Army remains intact, and any official communication regarding the health or status of its leaders will be made through proper channels.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, who was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, has had a distinguished military career.
Born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, he has played a key role in military operations and strategic planning since his appointment. His leadership has been marked by efforts to modernize the Nigerian Army and enhance its operational capabilities.
In addition to the Army’s response, the presidency also dismissed the false reports. Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Tinubu, addressed the issue through his X platform.
Onanuga stated: “Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu has dismissed fake reports about the chief of army staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.”
