Nigeria is in mourning following the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the nation’s Chief of Army Staff, who passed away Tuesday night in Lagos at the age of 56 after an illness. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the loss in a statement from his Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga, expressing condolences to the family and honoring Lagbaja’s contributions to national security.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, had served as Chief of Army Staff since his appointment by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023. His esteemed military career spanned decades, beginning with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. By 1992, he had been commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps, a member of the 39th Regular Course, and quickly rose through the ranks, recognized for his dedication and exemplary leadership.
Lagbaja’s service record includes command roles across numerous military operations essential to Nigeria’s internal security. He held key positions in Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States. Known for his strategic insight, Lagbaja also furthered his military education at the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu, in his statement, extended his deepest sympathies to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, wishing Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and recognizing his vital role in advancing the nation’s security.
By Quest News Chris Odjomah