Esther Salifu
The Nigerian Presidency has announced the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, after weeks of speculation surrounding his mysterious absence .In a statement issued on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
As President Bola Ahmed Tinubu stated, “Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was a dedicated and exceptional leader who demonstrated commitment to the nation throughout his military career.” Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
Lagbaja’s distinguished military career began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps in 1992 and went on to serve as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played pivotal roles in various internal security operations, including Operations ZAKI, Lafiya Dole, Udoka, and Forest Sanity.
The late Chief of Army Staff is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, wishing Lagbaja “eternal peace and honouring his significant contributions to the nation.”
