Indications have emerged that all might not be well with Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, as his whereabouts is generating concerns among military hierarchy.
Multiple security sources disclosed that Lagbaja has conspicuously been absent from several official duties.
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.
It was learnt that 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 disclosed 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
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.”
Source: SaharaReporters
