Human rights lawyer and activist, Deji Adeyanju has sent his best wishes to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who is reportedly dealing with an undisclosed health issue.
On Tuesday, a report emerged that the Army General was flown abroad by his family members to attend to his medical needs, a report the Nigerian army has denied.
However, in a statement on Friday, Adeyanju expressed empathy towards the ailing COAS and urged the Nigerian army to ensure that they continue to run their affairs smoothly until his return.
He said “I’ve just received news that Lieutenant General Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, is dealing with an undisclosed health issue.
“It is important to note that anyone can fall sick and so, I call for empathy towards the army boss and his family.
“I’d like to extend my heartfelt wishes for his speedy recovery.
“Moreover, the Nigerian Army should ensure a seamless transition of duties and maintain its operational effectiveness during Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s recovery.
“We pray for Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s swift recovery and return to duty,” he concluded.
Earlier, the army spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, told Sahara Reporters that Lagbaja was on leave and entitled to it after working “so hard for the country”.
He had 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 had added
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 to replace Faruk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff.