Army Reportedly Orders Arrest Of Journalist Over False Death Report On COAS Lagbaja

The Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, has reportedly ordered the arrest of an investigative journalist, Jackson Ude for posting false death reports about the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

Osun Defender recalls that that Ude had announced the death of the Chief of Army in a post on Sunday afternoon.

According to him, “Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer,” citing a senior government official.

He added: “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.”

However, the Nigerian Army debunked the news of the rumoured death of Lagbaja.

Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, on Sunday evening in a post on the Nigerian Army’s verified social media handles, dismissed the death rumour and described it as fake news.

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Meanwhile, in a statement on Monday on his verified X handle, Ude said Major General Ibrahim has ordered for his arrest.

https://x.com/jacksonpbn/status/1848259455907225698?t=N_BdMaMh35lFb3pMbVMP5w&s=19

He said, “The acting chief of Army staff, Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, has ordered my “immediate arrest” following my revelation that the former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has passed on, according to an audio recording of his meeting last night with senior military officers.
Gen. Ibrahim is demanding to know the source of my information and has asked the military to comb everywhere and ensure my arrest.

“While I welcome General Ibrahim’s swift move to have me arrested, I urge him to use same energy is taming the insecurity in Nigeria. He should also stop looking for contracts and face his military job squarely.”