Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, is reportedly battling an undisclosed health issue, prompting speculation about his future.
Several Nigerian online sources have corroborated the information. His ailment is described as “strange” and his current condition as “bedridden.” One report says he has not been attending to his duties for days and may have been flown abroad for medical treatment.
“The Chief of Army Staff is nowhere to be found for many days now… He is seriously sick and was taken to the hospital,” an online source claimed.
Lagbaja’s health situation has reportedly ignited intense lobbying among senior military officers for his possible replacement.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, Lagbaja is the 27th Chief of Army Staff. In Nigeria, the Chief of Army Staff has the highest direct command of troops. Administratively, he reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, who, in turn, reports to the Defence Minister and the President.
Army Denies Report
However, Army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu downplayed the information. Nwachukwu characterized Lagbaja’s absence as having taken some time off on leave after working “so hard for the country.“
Human rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju wished Lagbaja a speedy recovery and called for empathy in the situation. “It is important to note that anyone can fall sick,” the lawyer said.
Lagbaja is a seasoned military officer who has held various commands. Under his leadership, the military has been hailed for significant successes against bandits and terrorists, particularly in northern Nigeria.
In 2021, another Nigerian army chief, Lt-Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, who also recorded much success against the bandits, died in a plane crash in the north-western state of Kaduna.
If Lagbaja does not recover and is replaced, the next Chief of Army Staff will be saddled with the responsibility and expectation of continuing the battle against insecurity in Nigeria.
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