- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigerian Army has dismissed reports claiming that the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead.
Amid growing concern over the lengthy absence of the Army Chief, reports have emerged on X, announcing the death of the COAS.
In reaction, the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, in statement issued today, dismissed the ‘fake’ reports about Lagbaja.
He maintained that the COAS is on leave and currently being represented by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim.
“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 is away,”. The Army’s spokeperson wrote.
Recall that the Force had earlier allayed concern over the disappearance of the COAS.
NPO Reports that the Army claimed he is on leave.
However, sources close to Force disclosed the ill-state of Lagbaja, stressing that his condition is deteriorating.