NIGERIA'S CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF, LAGBAJA, PASSES ON

 

The death has finally been announced of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja the immediate past Chief of Army Staff.

In a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.

“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”

President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

Lagbaja was born in a town called Ilobu of Irepodun present day Osun State on 28 February 1968. He spent his early life in Osogbo where he attended the prominent St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.

He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in the year 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps

From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, Lagbaja obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master's level

Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation "Lafiya Dole"; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation "Forest Sanity" – Aug 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger states.

Lt. General Lagbaja's military career demonstrated his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

Lagbaja was loved by colleagues, juniors and non-military observers. 

His many innovative contributions as Chief of Army Staff will be remembered for long.