Breaking: Army Denies Rumored CoAS Death, Announces Interim Replacement

The Nigerian Army has categorically stated that the Chief of Army Staff, CoAS, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, is not dead, contrary to viral speculation mainly in the social media space. 

The Army gave the clarification in its official X handle, Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, innits official handle, @HQNigerianArmy.

It labeled the reports as fake news.

Unconfirmed reports had it earlier hinted that Lt Gen Lagbaja died in an unidentified foreign hospital. In one of the reports, an online news medium, quoting a former presidential aide, disclosed that the army chief died of stage 3 cancer, adding that information about his passing is currently being suppressed following increased lobby by officers angling to replace him.

“LAGBAJA DIED IN AN UNDISCLOSED HOSPITAL OVERSEAS NEARLY 48 HOURS AGO FROM STAGE THREE CANCER… THE DEATH HAS BEEN KEPT SECRET BECAUSE OF INTENSE LOBBYING BY SOME GENERALS WHO WANT TO TAKE THE POSITION.”

Recalled that another online news platform, the Sahara Reporters, posted a report of the CoAS's ill-health, alluding to discontent in the officers cadre over his whereabouts.

The medium also alleged that his continuous absence resulted in the inability of recently promoted officers to have their new ranks officially documented as their promotion papers have not been signed due to the absence of the CoAS. 

Among others, the medium reported that following his health complications, his immediate family flew him out of the country for proper medical care.

It alleged that the ailing CoAS was no longer able to communicate with anyone as he has been incapacitated, more or less.

Meanwhile, the Nigerian Army has announced Maj Gen Abdulsalami Ibrahim as the interim Chief of Army Staff, CoAS, replacing Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, who it described as currently on leave. 

The announcement is contained in a statement issued by Army spokesperson, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, apparently as a response to to unconfirmed reports that the alleged incapacitated CoAS may have passed.

According to Nwachukwu, the transition became imperative as the leadership structure has protocols put in place to prevent any vacuum.

He noted that Maj Gen Ibrahim, the Army’s Chief of Policy and Plans, will henceforth, act on behalf of the indisposed CoAS.  

Nwachukwu also used the opportunity to emphasize that the COAS’ leave will not disrupt the Army’s operations, dismissing claims of leadership confusion as unfounded, without confirming or denying flying rumours that Gen Lagbaja may have passed on.

“The Nigerian Army is a well-organized institution with established procedures to handle all situations. Before going on leave, the necessary arrangements were made for Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim to act in the COAS’ stead.

Any suggestions of a leadership vacuum are purely speculative, as all operations are proceeding as planned,” Nwachukwu stated.