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The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, allegedly grapples with an undisclosed health issue, and top military officers are reportedly vying for his position.
Sources informed SaharaReporters that the situation has escalated as Lagbaja’s health concerns have prompted speculations regarding his future in the position.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, Lagbaja is the 27th Chief of Army Staff, taking over from Faruk Yahaya on June 23, 2023.
The Chief of Army Staff plays a crucial role within the Nigerian military hierarchy, reporting to the Chief of Defence Staff, who, in turn, is accountable to the Defence Minister and the President of Nigeria.
Recent developments indicate that Lagbaja was flown abroad by family members for medical treatment, with sources describing his ailment as “strange.”
“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,” one of the sources had said.
“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.”
A Major had also 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.”
Lagbaja’s health has taken a turn for the worse, causing significant concern within the military, according to multiple sources who spoke to SaharaReporters on Friday. According to them, the Chief of Army Staff is now bedridden and incapacitated due to his deteriorating condition.
“His health is seriously deteriorating and he is currently capable. He is on sick bed; he can’t hear what people are saying again, just like someone with hearing problems. We are praying for his quick recovery,” one of the sources said.
“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 heath challenge.”
SaharaReporters learnt that Lagbaja’s health issues have sparked intense lobbying among senior military officers to succeed him as Chief of Army Staff. Major Generals secretly campaign and lobby influential figures, including top politicians, traditional rulers, lawmakers, and military godfathers, to secure the position.
As Lagbaja’s health continues to deteriorate, the race for his replacement gains momentum. His background and experience make his departure significant. As a seasoned military officer, Lagbaja has held various command, staff, and instructional appointments. His previous roles include serving as the General Officer Commanding at Headquarters 82 Division and Headquarters 1 Division.
If Lagbaja does not recover from the “strange” ailment, one thing is certain – the next Chief of Army Staff will face significant challenges in leading the Nigerian Army.
“With the kind of ailment he (Lagbaja) is battling with, no President will allow him to continue in that position even if discharged from the hospital. So serious lobbying is going on now underground for his replacement by some senior Army officers right now, especially those from course 40/41,” one of the sources said.
Earlier, Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, told SaharaReporters that Lagbaja was on leave and entitled to it after working “so hard for the country”.
He had said, “If the Chief of Army staff travels out after working for many years, are you saying it’s wrong for him to travel out when he is on leave? So if you work for years and go for a few weeks’ vacation or something, does it mean you are sick? So because we are in uniform, we should die working?
“For instance, I have worked for almost seven years, I haven’t gone on leave. I didn’t go on leave till I went to bury my mum, when I was given a week-plus to go and bury my mum.
“Because we are in uniform, we should die working? We shouldn’t have a week or two for vacation. Is it even abnormal for someone to go for (medical) check-up? Must you even be sick before going for medical checkup? Are we not supposed to evaluate ourselves?
“We need to understand some things; for the past seven years, I haven’t gone on leave. It’s a call to national duty. People need to understand the sacrifices soldiers are making.
“There was a point that I came to my home and my children didn’t even know me.”
“I don’t think it’s out of place for myself or any other person, even if it’s a top brass in the army to travel out or in any of the services to travel out for rest or do a medical checkup or something. I don’t think there should be any fuss about that,” the army spokesperson had added.
In a related development, human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju in a statement released on Friday, wished Lagbaja, speedy recovery.
He said, “I’ve just received news that Lieutenant General Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, is dealing with an undisclosed health issue.
“It is important to note that anyone can fall sick and so, I call for empathy towards the army boss and his family.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt wishes for his speedy recovery.
“Moreover, the Nigerian Army should ensure a seamless transition of duties and maintain its operational effectiveness during Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s recovery.
“We pray for Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s swift recovery and return to duty.”
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