In a personal call to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has debunked widespread rumors of his death. Lagbaja, who is recovering from a recent health issue, reassured the president that he is alive and recuperating well, putting to rest speculations about his passing.
A source from Defence Headquarters confirmed that President Tinubu was relieved to hear directly from Lagbaja, sharing his happiness and offering prayers for the general’s swift recovery. “The president spoke with Lagbaja, who was in high spirits and clearly communicated with him. The president was overjoyed and prayed fervently for his continued recovery,” the source told ThisDay.
Contrary to rumors that circulated online, especially a claim by Jackson Ude, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Lagbaja is not dead. Ude had alleged that the general succumbed to cancer in a foreign hospital, sparking concern across social media. However, these rumors have been firmly refuted by the Nigerian Army Headquarters, who labeled the claims as “fake news.”
Army officials swiftly responded to the misinformation, emphasizing that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja is entitled to medical leave and had traveled abroad for a routine health checkup. Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, confirmed Lagbaja’s absence but assured the public that all military operations were proceeding smoothly. “The Army remains fully operational, and there is no disarray due to the Chief of Army Staff’s absence,” he stated.
In Lagbaja’s temporary absence, Maj. Gen. Kevin Aligbe, Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, has taken over leadership duties, including overseeing promotions within the army to ensure continuity.
Support for the Chief of Army Staff has also come from various quarters. The pro-Tinubu group, "The Renewed Hope Agenda," urged Nigerians to ignore the rumors and emphasized the significance of Lagbaja’s contributions to national security. The group’s convener, Sam Atasia Oburu, praised the general’s efforts in tackling insurgency and other security challenges and expressed confidence in his swift recovery.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja continues to receive well wishes from across the nation as he focuses on his health, with Nigerians offering their support for his dedicated service.
