Chief of Army Staff: Group wants FG to investigate rumour, alleges ulterior motive

South East Development Peace Initiative (SPDI) has lambasted the rumour of the death of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing the peddlers as enemies of Nigeria. In a Press Statement issued in Enugu on Monday, leader of the group Hon Vitus Okechi, expressed shock that people would wish the army chief […]

South East Development Peace Initiative (SPDI) has lambasted the rumour of the death of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing the peddlers as enemies of Nigeria.

In a Press Statement issued in Enugu on Monday, leader of the group Hon Vitus Okechi, expressed shock that people would wish the army chief dead at a time he is “succeeding in wiping out terrorism across the country”.

Okechi, a former Commissioner and Local Government Chairman in Enugu State, noted that even after an official statement by the army was issued Sunday, they are still asking for a video of the General.

“There must be an ulterior motive in all these. And as a group, the South East Development Peace Initiative (SDPI) urges the Federal Government to investigate the source of this rumour.”

“While we wish the Army Chief the best of his vacation, we urge the government to beef up his security and keep a close eye on him.

“The government should also investigate the source and reasons behind these speculations; they must not be waved aside.

“Since Lagbaja took over as Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, there have been significant successes in the fight against terrorism in the North West and beyond.

“Just recently the troops of Operation Hadarin Daji successfully neutralised a wanted bandit leader, Halilu Sububu. Sububu had been unleashing terror on citizens in Zamfara, Sokoto, and other parts of north-western Nigeria.

“Beyond Sububu, the troops also killed another terrorist, Sani Wala Burki in a joint operation in Katsina, and busted a terrorist enclave in Kaduna, where 13 abducted students were freed.”

The South East Development Peace Initiative (SPDI) praised the efforts of Lagbaja, whom they noted has brought enough motivation to his troops.

“His appointment as Chief of Army Staff is turning out positively in the fight against terrorism and insurgency in some parts of the country, and some people appear not to be comfortable with it.”