The Nigerian Army has officially refuted rumors regarding the death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, which circulated widely on social media over the weekend.
The rumors originated from a post by a Nigerian journalist, who claimed that Lagbaja had succumbed to stage three cancer in an undisclosed hospital overseas.
The journalist’s report, which gained traction on social media, stated that the army chief had died 48 hours prior and suggested that the news was being suppressed due to internal lobbying among senior military officers vying for his position.
Lt Gen Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu as the 27th Chief of Army Staff in June 2023.
In response to the rumors, the Nigerian Army took to X (formerly Twitter), labeling the claims as “fake news.”
However, sources within the Army Headquarters confirmed that while Lagbaja is not deceased, he is currently critically ill and receiving treatment abroad.
“We should be praying for him at this critical time and not spreading rumors that he died,” one source noted.
Despite the rumors surrounding the COAS, the Army also announced the retirement of 15 generals, marking a significant transition within the organization. The retired officers, primarily from the Artillery Corps, include 11 Major Generals and 4 Brigadier Generals.
The retirement ceremony took place at the Nigerian Army School of Artillery in Kachia, Kaduna State, on October 19, 2024.
During the event, Maj Gen James Myam (retd) spoke on behalf of the retirees, expressing gratitude for their long careers and attributing their successes to divine grace.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity to serve and extended best wishes to Lt Gen Lagbaja, calling for continued strength and wisdom in his leadership.
Maj Gen Myam also reflected on their initial training at the Nigerian Defence Academy, advising current officers to uphold loyalty to the constitution and the democratically elected government while remaining vigilant in their duties.
The ceremony was attended by numerous senior retired and active military officers, including former Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Alwali Kazir (retd).
As the Nigerian Army navigates this critical period, both the health of its chief and the retirement of senior generals signal significant developments within the nation’s military leadership.
