Nigerian Army Denies Rumours of COAS Lagbaja’s Death

The Nigerian Army has refuted widespread rumours circulating on social media about the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. The speculation was sparked by a post from Jackson Ude, an X (formerly Twitter) user, claiming that Lagbaja had passed away from cancer in an undisclosed hospital overseas.

Ude alleged that the Army chief had died nearly 48 hours earlier and that his death was being kept under wraps due to intense lobbying among senior generals for his position. He also stated that Lagbaja’s demise was related to stage three cancer, and that his passing was being hidden from the public for political reasons.

However, in a swift response on Sunday, the Nigerian Army dismissed the report as false. Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu clarified that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja was alive and had simply taken leave. In his absence, the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, has been appointed to serve in an acting capacity.

Lagbaja, appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, hails from Ilobu, Osun State, and has served as the country’s 27th Chief of Army Staff since his appointment. The Army’s official response sought to reassure the public, calling the death rumours baseless and urging Nigerians to disregard the misinformation.