The Nigerian Army has officially refuted rumors regarding the alleged death of General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff. The speculation gained traction following a tweet from Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide and social media commentator, which quickly went viral.
In response to the unfounded claims, the Nigerian Army labeled Ude’s tweet as “FAKE NEWS” on X (formerly Twitter), reiterating its commitment to dispelling misinformation regarding the health and status of General Lagbaja.
On Saturday, Army spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu addressed the media, clarifying that General Lagbaja is currently on official leave and that protocols are in place to ensure continuity in leadership.
Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been designated to act on Lagbaja’s behalf during this period.
Nwachukwu, a major general himself, emphasized that the General’s absence is not impacting the operations of the Nigerian Army, assuring the public that the service remains fully operational and effective.
He reiterated the importance of verifying information before dissemination to avoid the spread of false narratives that could undermine public confidence in the military’s leadership.
