Concerns are escalating regarding the health of Nigeria’ s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, following reports of his prolonged absence from public engagements by SaharaReporters.....Read Full Article>>
Responding to the report on the social media platform X (previously known as Twitter), Simon Ekpa claimed that Lagbaja would not recover from his current health crisis. In his post, Ekpa declared, ” He will never return, all those seeking my downfall will die before December, I am Njoku! ” His remarks have sparked concern and brought attention to the current state of Nigeria’ s military leadership.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in llobu, Osun State, was appointed to his position by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023. However, his absence from significant military functions has sparked widespread speculation. Reports indicate that family members have taken him abroad for medical treatment, further fueling concerns about his well- being.
The last time Lagbaja was publicly seen was on September 10, 2024, during the inauguration of civil- military cooperation projects in Osun State.
Since that appearance, he has missed several important military events. Notably, he did not attend the Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024 graduation ceremony in Abuja on October 2, where he was expected to serve as chief host.
Additionally, he was absent from the passing- out parade at the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 28, which marked the graduation of Direct Short Service Course cadets from the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
Military insiders have confirmed that Lagbaja’ s absence is linked to serious health issues. Reports suggest that he has not been seen at Army Headquarters in Abuja for an extended period.
An officer stationed at the headquarters noted that Lagbaja’ s official vehicle has been missing from its designated parking spot for weeks. Another military source indicated that Lagbaja had been flown overseas for medical care but emphasized that no official statement regarding his health status has been issued by the military.
A fellow officer who has known Lagbaja since their early days in service expressed optimism about his recovery, stating that while illness can affect anyone, it is crucial for someone to assume command during such times. This sentiment was echoed by another major in the Nigerian Army who confirmed that Lagbaja had left the country for medical reasons but could not provide further details about his condition.
The situation surrounding Lagbaja’ s health raises significant questions about leadership continuity within Nigeria’ s military at a time when stability is paramount. As speculation continues to swirl regarding his condition and absence from key events, many are left wondering about the implications for Nigeria’ s defense strategy and military operations moving forward.
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