The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) has denied reports that an acting chief of army staff (COAS) has been appointed to stand in for Taoreed Lagbaja.

In a statement on Monday, the DHQ said Lagbaja is currently observing his annual leave and is “hale and hearty”.

There have been public concerns about the whereabouts of the army chief. On Sunday, the Nigerian Army described rumours of Lagbaja’s death as “fake news”.
On Saturday, the DHQ said Lagbaja is ill and is receiving medical treatment abroad.

Some online reports had claimed that the army authorities have appointed a senior officer as acting COAS to plug the leadership gap.

Reacting to the reports, Tukur Gusau, director of defence information, said Lagbaja is reviewing routine briefs from Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the chief of policy and plans, in accordance with standard military procedures.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, is currently on a well-deserved rest as part of his 2024 annual leave,” the statement reads.

“The AFN is professionally managed and all the Service Chiefs are performing their duties as stipulated in the Constitution of the FGN.

“Major General Abdulsalam Bagudu Ibrahim, the Chief of Policy and Plans, is providing routine briefs to the COAS in accordance with standard military procedures.

“The DHQ urges individuals spreading unfounded rumours to desist from doing so immediately.

“The COAS is hale and hearty and will soon resume normal duties at the end of his leave.”

The DHQ was also warned those advocating for military takeover in a “viral video”.

“They should be aware that such actions are treasonable under the constitution,” the statement added.

A former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode has lost one of his close aides, Mark Ndifereke, who died suddenly on the 13th of October, 2024.

Fani-Kayode made the announcement via a message to Vanguard, late Sunday night, he mourned the loss of Mr Mark who he said had worked with him for close to three decades.
According to FFK, Mark was like a son to him, his death was a huge blow.

“It is with great sadness that I announce the passing of my devoted Special Assistant, Mr Ndifreke Saviour Mark, who was with me for no less than 34 years.”

“He left home at 5.40 am on the morning of Sunday 13th October for morning Mass as he was a devoted Catholic and member of the Catholic Church of Assumption, Asokoro after which he went to a hotel by the name of Mildy Lodge and Apartments in Garki, Abuja.”

According to the police he took a room at the hotel and spent some time there with an individual after which he apparently slumped and died in that individual’s presence.

He was taken to Asokoro District Hospital, was pronounced dead upon arrival and has since been put in the hospital morgue.

“The individual he was with at the time of his death in the hotel is now in police custody and I have insisted on a full criminal investigation of the matter and an autopsy.

‘The hotel receptionist has also been detained by the police whilst both the manager and the owner of the hotel were invited for questioning earlier this week.

“The entire hotel was also sealed up by the police for two days and the room in which he lodged remains sealed till today.

“I have broken the sad news to his family, I have met with his wife Barrister Patience Ndifreke-Mark and his Uncle, Mr. Clement Mathias, (who represented his family) and I have also told them of my intention to ensure that, if indeed there is any foul play, justice is done and those behind it are brought to book.”

“Mark was like a son to me and his passing is a huge blow to me and my entire family,” FFK noted.

“We shared many dreams and aspirations and fought many battles together shoulder to shoulder.

“Now he has gone it has left much pain but I give thanks to God for his life and for the 52 years that he spent on earth.”

“I have assured his wife and family of my intention to stand by them at this difficult time and to ensure that they do not lack or want anything.

“I have absolute confidence in the FCT Police Command to get to the bottom of this matter after which we can proceed to bury a man who was my most loyal staff and most trusted aide.

“Most important of all is the fact that he was a kind, reliable and compassionate soul who brought joy to many and who was incapable of hurting a fly.

“I will never forget him and though he has passed he lives on in our hearts.

“I thank all those who have found the time to come and mourn with us at this difficult time.

“May Ndifreke’s precious soul rest in peace and may the Lord comfort his wife and two beautiful young children,” FFK wrote

The Nigerian Army has dismissed the rumoured death of Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff (COAS), as fake news.

There have been public concerns about the whereabouts of the army chief.

On Sunday, Jackson Ude, an X user, made a post claiming that COAS had died of cancer in a hospital abroad.

“CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF DIES OF CANCER The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja has died,” the post reads.

“Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official. The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position.

“Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff,” Ude had tweeted at exactly 12:49pm.”

However, the army headquarters on its X handle has marked the post as fake news.

On Saturday, Onyema Nwachukwu, the army spokesman, dismissed reports suggesting there is a leadership vacuum due to Lagbaja’s absence.

Nwachukwu said Lagbaja is receiving treatment abroad, noting that Abdulsalami Ibrahim, the chief of policy and plans (army), has been acting.