Nigerian Army Dismisses Rumoured Death of Chief of Army Staff as ‘Fake News’
By Matthew Eloyi
The Nigerian Army has debunked rumours circulating on social media about the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a post on its official X handle on Sunday, the Army tagged the claims as “Fake News,” dismissing the source, Jackson Ude, whose post sparked the false reports.
Speculations had emerged online, claiming that Lagbaja had passed away in an undisclosed foreign hospital.
However, these reports, which quoted Ude without any official confirmation from either the Army or the Defence Headquarters, have been firmly refuted.
Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, clarified that the COAS is currently on leave and attending to his health outside the country.
He reassured the public that there is no leadership vacuum, as Maj.-Gen. Abdulsalam Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is managing the Army’s affairs in Lagbaja’s absence.
Nwachukwu criticised the rumours as “pure mischief” designed to create panic, adding that the Nigerian Army is a well-structured organisation with established procedures for handling such situations.
“The Nigerian Army enjoins the general public to remain confident in its leadership and assures that the Service remains on top of security situations in the country,” Nwachukwu said, expressing gratitude to Nigerians for their continued prayers and support for Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja.