The recent retirement of no fewer than 15 Army Generals has continued to fuel speculation about the unconfirmed death of the Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja,
Before this time, rumours were rife over the death of the Army Chief who was said to be indisposed and flown to abroad for medical attention.
The news first filtered the atmosphere through an exclusive report by an Investigative Journalist, Jackson Ude, who claimed that Lagbaja was dead.
Although, Veracity.com.ng had reported that the Nigerian Army labeled the viral news about the COAS as fake. Also, an Aide to the President, Bayo Onanuga, had posted on X saying: “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. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he is away,".
But yesterday, Jackson narrated that Lagbaja died about two days ago from cancer. And even while he was fighting for his life, his colleagues were lobbying for his position. And now the lobbying has intensified, Veracity gathered.
Conversely, the Nigerian Army debunked the claim, stating that it was a fake news, rationalizing that “Taoreed Lagbaja's abscence is because he's currently on his annual leave and having a brief medical checkup abroad. But before leaving, he assigned Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on his behalf.”
Recall on Tuesday, 15th October, Sahara Reporters exclusively reported that, the COAS is gravely ill and was secretly flown abroad to seek medical solutions. As a result, he hadn't appeared at the HQ for three weeks, and promotions had remained pending.
On Friday 18th, Sahara Reporters made a follow up on the story, exclusively stating that he was already in critical condition, and the lobbying had increased.
Insisting that the rumours is fake, the Nigerian Army said that Lagbaja is well and alive. But Jackson Ude threw a challenge to the Army to make a minute video to proof the Army Chief is alive.
Ude added that “NA is yet to react. But have instead ordered my arrest, and open investigation to know where the information came from within the service.
However, Conspiracy theorists have suggested that the sudden retirement of 15 Army Generals is a calculated move to appoint President Tinubu’s preferred candidate as new the COAS.
But Nigerians are expressing confusion over the current situation, with many believing that Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, is indeed deceased.
The Nigerian Army's denial of these reports has led some to speculate about the authenticity of the claims, as past occurrences suggest that debunked news often points to announcements made prematurely.
In response to the speculation, patriotic Nigerians are directing their frustration toward Jackson and those they perceive as wishing ill upon Nigeria, including the Nigerian Army and COAS Lagbaja.
Some argued that security in Nigeria has significantly improved under Lagbaja's leadership since his appointment by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, and they express concern over the implications of such rumors for national stability.
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