CONCERNS are growing among the military hierarchy over the whereabouts of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, sources told SaharaReporters.
According to multiple security sources, Lagbaja’s prolonged absence from official duties has sparked controversy among top generals.
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.
The controversy surrounding Lagbaja’s absence is further fueled by reports that family members have secluded him from the public. As the situation unfolds, many are eagerly awaiting an official statement from the authorities to clarify Lagbaja’s status.
Checks on the Nigerian Army social media pages show that the last public appearance of Lagbaja was on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, when he inaugurated several civil-military cooperation projects in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.
Top military officers have been representing him at key events, including the Army War College Nigeria Course 8/2024 graduation dinner and award night in Abuja on October 2, 2024, where Lagbaja was supposed to be the chief host.
Additionally, Lagbaja missed the combined passing-out parade of the 71 Regular Course, Army, Navy, and Air Force on September 28.
This significant event saw the graduation of Direct Short Service Course 28 (Army) and Direct Short Service Course 32 (Air Force) cadets from the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
Lagbaja’s absence from these events has raised eyebrows, especially given his position as the head of the Nigerian Army.
Sources told SaharaReporters that Lagbaja has also not been seen at the Nigerian Army Headquarters located at the Armed Forces Complex, Muhammadu Buhari Way, Abuja in the last three weeks.
“We haven’t seen his official vehicle at his designated car park for three weeks now, unlike before,” a soldier attached to the Army headquarters told SaharaReporters.
However, a top officer close to Lagbaja told SaharaReporters that he was flown abroad by his family members on a secret trip to attend to his medical needs.
The officer said, “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.”
“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,” another officer said.
Also speaking to SaharaReporters, a Major said, “I don’t know whether he is sick or not, I can’t confirm that to you, but I got to know two weeks ago that he wasn’t in the country and I know he’s not back as I talk to you.
“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.”
SaharaReporters learnt that issue has raised eyebrows among junior soldiers especially those due for promotion, with many of them expressing frustration and disappointment.
Army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, however, told SaharaReporters that the army chief was on leave and entitled to it after working “so hard for the country”.
He 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 added.
Source: SaharaReporters
