The Nigerian Army has firmly dismissed circulating rumors claiming the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja. In a swift response to the misinformation, the Army took to its official X (formerly Twitter) handle to refute the reports, labeling them as “fake news.”
In their official statement, the Army urged the public to disregard the false claims, emphasizing that General Lagbaja remains alive and continues to carry out his duties. The post reaffirmed the Army’s commitment to maintaining transparency while condemning the spread of baseless information aimed at causing panic and confusion.
The statement read, “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to circulating reports suggesting the death of our Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. We categorically state that this is fake news. The General is alive, well, and actively performing his duties.”
Such rumors, the Army noted, are not only harmful but also undermine the integrity of the institution. They called on the public and media outlets to verify information before dissemination to avoid the spread of falsehoods, which could impact national security.
This clarification serves as a reminder of the increasing dangers of misinformation in the digital age, urging citizens to be cautious about the news they consume and share.
As the Army continues to protect the nation’s territorial integrity, they remain committed to providing accurate and timely updates to the public.
Public Caution Against Misinformation
In the wake of this incident, the Army reiterated the need for responsible media engagement and urged Nigerians to rely on credible sources for news about national matters. “Let us all work together to ensure peace and stability in our country by spreading only verified information,” the statement concluded.