NewStats: 3,262,605 , 8,177,673 topics. Date: Tuesday, 03 June 2025 at 12:45 AM 452k3f

The Nigerian Army has debunked the rumour flying around on the purported death of General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff.

The rumour, which has since gone viral, started after a tweet from Jackson Ude, former presidential aide and social media commentator.

“CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF DIES OF CANCER The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official. The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position. Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff,” Ude had posted at exactly 12:49pm.

But the Nigerian Army, which has consistently denied reports on the alleged ailment of the General, stamped Ude’s tweet with FAKE NEWS on social media.

On Saturday, Onyema Nwachukwu, Army spokesman, dismissed media reports suggesting that there is leadership vacuum following the absence of Lagbaja, saying he is on official leave, and necessary protocols had been put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on his behalf during his absence.

Nwachukwu, a major general, emphasised that Lagbaja’s absence is not affecting the operations of the service.

“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.”

“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.

“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence. Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.”

The army spokesman said all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course, adding that the appropriate departmental chiefs are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS directives.

https://dailytrust.com/just-in-lagbaja-not-dead-says-army/

He won't die, those praying for his demise have failed.

God will restore Lagbaja

Proof?

Behind every rumour, there is a likelihood, Nlfpmod.

iwaeda:
Behind every rumour, there is a likelihood.

nothing will happen to Lagbaja.

This country is just so evil

He should appear on TV and talk.

Thank God for his life

It just that the man is very active.

He may just be in coma....

Blessedman98:
nothing will happen to Lagbaja.

This country is just so evil

Amen.

NwaNimo1:
He may just be in coma....

God will revive him.

Now i can believe he is dead!

Before you start insulting me abeg, read and comprehend what the army spokeman said.

They didn't deny his death they talked about the military not being affected by his absence, they avoided the direct question.

Now let's get one thing straight, we know Nigerian power brokers and dirty lobbying tricks.... If indeed he died they will not let it out till they all get their desired goals.

E.g death of Yar'adua

Person wey dey on life . This a repeat of what happened Yaradua time. Them still dey try secure him spot.

Hmmm

Our people from the other side are the ones carrying fake news.

They wish he was dead including all security operatives.

Wetin our officers do them, we no understand.

Enemies of the nation.

Outright denial over here might just be nothing but the truth, no be Nigeria again, if it was before we would've believed but not again, so many press release to debunk what have already happen, this one is not an exception.

Ok

We are watching

This hide ad seek game in Nigeria....pls where do we learn it from?

Why na ?!

It's really no big deal for someone to fall sick. Any mortal can fall sick. So Lagbaja's case shouldn't be a subject of hide & seek, especially for such high profile public figure.

Who asked you people, if he wants to die, nobody is holding him.
And Gowon, you see you fought for nothing, your region is almost wiped out by Islam.

Yes we know he's not dead it probably some iragbiji/Ogbomosho agbo ts news

I wish him quick recovery 💪🙏

Where is he? Sahara Reporters hardly being wrong

Why are yebos wicked like this. Always wishing people death.

This Jackson Ude a core obedient always peddling fake news.

I doubt Ude can ever step his foot into Nigeria.

I wish the chief of Army staff Quick recovery

The social media space is saturated with false news all in the name of creating content

He should make an official statement on video

Nobody said he was dead, they said baba is now deaf and dumb due to the lies they have been dispatching to his ear to disseminate to the public.....

He can't hear any more lies to disseminate now...

I wish him well though....

If dem arrest dis one now dem go start to dey shout freedom of speech up and down
D use guy think say hand no fit touch am... Make e ask kanu o

Our chief of Army staff is in the same state with our dear Nigeria

I thought you guys were talking about omo baba mukomuko.

maybe na T-Pain don kee the man with hunger.