The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has not made a public appearance since September 13, raising concerns about his health and well-being.
Appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, his prolonged absence from official duties has led to widespread speculation about his condition.
On October 15, reports from Sahara Reporters suggested that Lagbaja was flown abroad for medical treatment. However, the Nigerian Army has yet to disclose the nature of his health issues.
Army spokesperson Onyema Nwachukwu acknowledged on Saturday that previous army chiefs have also encountered unforeseen circumstances requiring extended absences from duty. In the interim, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been acting on behalf of the COAS.
Lagbaja’s last known public appearance was at a Nigerian Army Resource Centre event, where he attended a graduation ceremony for participants in the Leadership and Strategic Studies Course. His absence has been increasingly noticeable, particularly during key military events and the October 1 Independence Day celebrations, where his presence was missed.
The last official mention of the COAS on the Army’s social media was on September 10, when he commissioned Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) projects in Okuku, Osun State. Since then, subordinates have represented him at military functions, including a retirement ceremony for 15 generals on Saturday in Kaduna State and a media engagement in Benue State on September 16, further fueling speculation about his health.
