In a significant development, the Nigerian Army on Sunday refuted reports circulating that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died.
Several reports, originating from a social media , announced the death of the Army chief, which quickly went viral.
Some of the report alleged that Lagbaja had died of cancer 48 hours earlier.
However, sources at the Army Headquarters confirmed that the Army Chief was critically ill but not dead.
“The 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 of his death.”
Another source said that he had travelled abroad for medical treatment.
“He is out of the country for treatment. I have not heard of his death from anyone close to him. There is no way such information could be hidden.”
The phone number of the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu was switched off, and he had yet to respond to a message sent to him regarding the matter.
(PUNCH)
