COAS Lagbaja Hospitalised, Undergoing Treatment as panic intensifies over the Army Chief’s health
Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja is said to be on admission at a foreign hospital, being treated on yet-to-be-made-public illness.
Various reports coming out from news outlets have indicated that many Army Generals are already lobbying for his position but reacting to the report, Army Headquarters (AHQ), through Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Army spokesperson, said the COAS is only on leave and procedures are being accelerated to fill the vacuum his absence has made. COAS Lagbaja Hospitalised, Undergoing Treatment
According to Saharareporters, an online news medium, reported that Lagbaja had allegedly been flown out of the country for treatment over an undisclosed illness.
In the reports, Saharareporters claimed that the COAS’s health had deteriorated and that “he is now bedridden and incapacitated due to his deteriorating condition, and it is causing significant concerns within the military establishment.”
It said: “His health is seriously deteriorating and he is currently incapable. He is on a sick bed; he can’t hear what people are saying again, just like someone with hearing problems. We are praying for his quick recovery.
“So it’s a very serious illness but the Army authorities can never disclose it now. Even before this stage, General Lagbaja was prepared to resign because of the health challenge.”
However, there have been reports of some generals who are next in ranks to the superior officer cadre are already lobbying, bidding to be considered for the position.
Eyebrows were raised and questions were asked when Lagbaja’s absence was noticed during Nigeria’s Independence Day (October 1st) celebration held at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.
Fuelling the public curiosity, numerous functions have been held in the absence of the Army Chief, plus the funeral ceremony of the late Director of Army Legal Service Major General Seidu Inabova Musa at the National Military Cemetery−a function, Lagbaja was represented by Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, Chief of Policy and Plans.
Reports by Saharareporters claimed that Lagbaja was flown abroad for treatment by his family members over “strange illness.”
As reported by the source (Saharareporters): “The Chief of Army Staff is nowhere to be found for many days now. He hasn’t been seen at the Army headquarters or any military function in the last three weeks.
“I can confirm to you that he is seriously sick and was taken to the hospital. However, his family members arranged for him to be moved out of the country for medical treatment”.
“The COAS is a leader and most of the Major Generals are doing anyhow because they have no one to report to currently.
“Anybody can fall sick but someone needs to be in charge. I wish him a very quick recovery, I have known him since our days in Makurdi, Benue State. We were both young officers then and he was a captain.”
Another source, in a brief to the only news medium said, “As military men, we were taught to be observant, so I noticed he was not at the October 1 Independence Day parade ground in Abuja.
“I asked my superiors including a general and I was told that he was out of the country. You know, it is unusual for him not to be around at that time.
“Also, the 2024 promotion list of soldiers which was completed a few weeks back is yet to be signed by the COAS. I was told that the Chief of Administration cannot do it because it will escalate the COAS’s absence. Some of my subordinates who are due for promotion are already grumbling.” ‘No Leadership Vacuum.’
COAS LAGBAJA IS STILL ALIVE
Reacting to “Lagbaja Death” claim, the Nigerian Army has issued a statement addressing “death rumour” of the ill Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
The rumour which has, since then, gone wide following a tweet from Jackson Ude, former presidential aid and social media commentator.
He tweeted, “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. COAS Lagbaja Hospitalised, Undergoing Treatment
“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,”
But the Nigerian Army, which has always been rebuffing the alleged ailment of their chief, appeared to have tagged Ude’s tweet with a “FAKE NEWS” stamp.
On Saturday, the Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu refuted the rumour, suggesting that the Nigerian Army only have leadership vacuum due to Lagbaja’s absence.
He then stated that Lagbaja is not dead, he has only gone on an official leave and necessary procedures and protocols have been established and accelerated for Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Army Chief of Policy and Plans, to stand in for him (Lagbaja).
He further said that the Nigerian Army has ensured that Lagbaja’s absence does not take a toll on the operation 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.”
Onyema noted that the absence of the Army Chief of Staff does not hinder their operation as all departmental chief are fully carrying out their responsibilities as directed by Lagbaja.
COAS Lagbaja Hospitalised, Undergoing Treatment COAS Lagbaja Hospitalised, Undergoing Treatment
