The Nigerian Army has debunked reports circulating that the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died.
Several online reports, originating from a social media post by one Jackson Ude announcing the death of the Army chief, had gone viral.
Ude claimed that Lagbaja had died of cancer 48 hours ago but did not disclose the hospital.
The post read, "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."
But, reacting to the post on its verified X handle on Sunday, the Nigerian Army described the viral report as fake news.
However, sources at the Army Headquarters confirmed to our correspondent that the Army Chief was critically ill but not dead as being bandied around.
One of the sources said, "COAS is not dead. He is only critically ill at the moment. We should be praying for him at this critical time and not spreading rumours that he died."
Another source said the Army Chief was on official leave and out of the country to treat himself.
"He is out of the country for treatment. And I have not heard of his death from anyone around him. There is no way such information could be hidden," the source added.
The known phone number of the director, Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, was switched off at the time of this report.
LEADERSHIP reports that the Nigerian Army had earlier dismissed reports of leadership vacuum in the Service following the absence of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.
A statement by the Army Spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, late Saturday night, said the COAS was on official leave.
He dismissed insinuations that the absence may affect the running of the institution, describing the Army as a structured organisation with protocols.
He said General Lagbaja's absence does not affect posting, promotion, training activities or operations.
"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.
"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 leadership vacuum in the NA presently is therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the Service are on course," he said.
He explained that the Service has, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, recently conducted the Captain-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure, Ondo State.
"Subsequently and in line with extant procedures, the Commander Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the result after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently answers for the Chief of Army Staff in his absence on leave and medical checkup abroad. Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos. This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna. The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management," he explained.
He continued, "contrary to the insinuation that the absence of the COAS occasioned by his leave, has caused undue delay in the release of the result of the WO-MWO promotion exercise, the NA wishes to clarify that it has never been the practice for the COAS to sign postings or promotions for both officers and soldiers in the NA. The appropriate departmental chiefs perform these functions routinely. These Departmental Chiefs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy."
Sign up for free AllAfrica Newsletters
Get the latest in African news delivered straight to your inbox
He, therefore, called on the general public to remain confident in the NA and assured that the Service remains on top of the security situations in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory.
"The Army Headquarters wishes to thank all well-meaning Nigerians who have shown genuine concern about Lt Gen TA Lagbaja and have continued to pray for him.
"The Army Headquarters assures Nigerians and the international community that all land-related training, operational, and administrative activities are on course and that the COPP(A) is firmly and effectively running the affairs of the Service pending the return of the COAS," the Army spokesman added.
