The Nigerian Army has debunked widespread rumours claiming that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has passed away.
The rumor, which spread like wildfire on social media, was sparked by a tweet from Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide and popular commentator.
According to Ude’s tweet, General Lagbaja allegedly died from stage three cancer in an undisclosed hospital overseas.
However, the Nigerian Army has firmly denied this claim, dismissing the report as fake news.
Viral Tweet Claims Lagbaja’s Death
The rumor began to circulate after Jackson Ude posted a tweet on his social media account.
In the tweet, Ude claimed that the Chief of Army Staff had died nearly 48 hours ago in an unnamed hospital abroad.
He went on to allege that the news of General Lagbaja’s death was being kept secret due to intense lobbying by top military officers vying for his position.
Ude’s tweet read, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from stage three cancer, according to a senior Government official.”
The post quickly gained traction, with many Nigerians reacting to the unverified report, leading to widespread concern about the state of leadership in the Nigerian Army.
Army Labels Ude’s Report as “Fake News”
The Nigerian Army wasted no time in addressing the rumors.
On Saturday, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army’s spokesperson, issued an official statement refuting the claims made by Ude.
Nwachukwu labeled the tweet as “FAKE NEWS” and emphasized that General Lagbaja is not only alive but is currently on official leave.
The Army spokesman also clarified that the general’s absence has not created any leadership vacuum within the Nigerian Army, contrary to rumors.
“No Leadership Vacuum,” Says Army
In response to concerns about how the Army is functioning in General Lagbaja’s absence, Major General Nwachukwu reassured the public that all operations within the Army are proceeding smoothly.
He explained that before General Lagbaja went on leave, proper protocols were put in place to ensure that his duties would be handled in his absence.
Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans for the Nigerian Army, is currently acting in Lagbaja’s stead.
“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing could be further from the truth,” Nwachukwu stated.
He added, “The Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances.”
Nwachukwu further explained that the Army has dealt with similar situations in the past, where service chiefs were unavailable for extended periods due to health reasons or other unforeseen circumstances.
In such cases, the Chiefs of Policy and Plans have always stepped in to oversee operations without disruption.
Routine Activities Continue Without Disruption
To further dispel fears of any instability within the Nigerian Army, Nwachukwu assured the public that all routine activities are proceeding as scheduled.
He stressed that the Army’s operations are not dependent on a single individual and that the appropriate departmental chiefs are fully executing their responsibilities in line with General Lagbaja’s directives.
“All routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course, and the appropriate departmental chiefs are carrying out their duties,” Nwachukwu said.
General Lagbaja’s Leadership and Appointment
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.
Born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, Lagbaja has had a long and distinguished career in the Nigerian Army.
He has held several key positions within the military, and his leadership has been praised for maintaining discipline and order within the ranks.
Since his appointment, Lagbaja has been at the forefront of Nigeria’s efforts to combat terrorism, insurgency, and other security challenges facing the country.
His leadership has been instrumental in recent military operations aimed at securing peace and stability in various parts of Nigeria.
Social Media and the Spread of False Information
The recent rumor about General Lagbaja’s death highlights the growing influence of social media in shaping public opinion, especially in Nigeria.
While platforms like Twitter have become essential tools for sharing information, they have also become breeding grounds for misinformation and fake news.
In this case, a single tweet from a prominent individual quickly gained widespread attention, causing panic and concern among Nigerians.
The Nigerian Army’s swift response to the rumor is a reminder of the dangers of unverified information and the importance of fact-checking before sharing news.
Army Urges Caution Against Fake News
In light of the false reports about General Lagbaja’s death, the Nigerian Army has urged the public to be cautious about the information they consume and share, especially on social media.
Major General Nwachukwu called on Nigerians to verify news from credible sources before believing or spreading it further.
He warned that fake news has the potential to cause unnecessary panic and disrupt the smooth functioning of government institutions.
“We urge all Nigerians to disregard these unfounded reports and to rely on verified information from credible sources,” Nwachukwu said.
He also emphasized the Army’s commitment to transparency and assured the public that they would be informed of any developments concerning the leadership of the Nigerian military.