The Nigerian Army on Sunday reacted to reports that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taored Lagbaja, had been killed.
X user Jackson Youde claimed that Rabaha died of cancer at an undisclosed hospital overseas about 48 hours ago.
Mr Ude claimed that Mr Lagbaja's death had been kept quiet due to intense lobbying by some top army generals.
He posted, “Army Chief of Staff dies of cancer.” Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taolid Raghbaha has passed away. Lagbaja died of stage 3 cancer about 48 hours ago at an undisclosed hospital overseas, a senior government official said.
“The death of the Army Chief of Staff has been kept secret due to intense lobbying by some generals seeking the position.
“Mr Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State and was appointed as the 27th Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023.”
However, the Nigerian military rejected this claim as “false”.
Meanwhile, Nigerian Army Spokesman Onyema Nwachukwu said Mr Rabaja was on leave.
Mr Nwachukwu said the Director of Army Policy and Plans, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, would act in Mr Lagbaha's place.
