BREAKING: Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja dies at 56

BREAKING: Nigeria Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja dies at 56

JOEL OLADELE, Abuja 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has announced with great sorrow the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, at the age of 56. 

In a statement released by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, he disclosed that 

General Lagbaja succumbed to an illness late Tuesday night in Lagos, leaving behind a legacy of exceptional service and dedication to the Nigerian military.

According to Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his profound grief over the loss. “Lt. General Lagbaja was not just a military leader; he was a stalwart of courage and a protector of our nation’s integrity. His contributions to the security of Nigeria will forever be remembered,” he remarked. 

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja’s military career began at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. After a rigorous training period, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 19, 1992, as a member of the 39th Regular Course in the Nigerian Infantry Corps. His service record reflects a commitment to excellence and a steadfast dedication to duty.

Throughout his illustrious military career, Lt. General Lagbaja held key positions, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He was instrumental in several critical internal security operations including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States. His strategic acumen and leadership were pivotal in enhancing Nigeria’s security landscape during challenging times.

An esteemed alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, Lt. General Lagbaja earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

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

In his statement, President Tinubu extended his deepest condolences to the family, remarking, “In this time of grief, I stand with Lt. General Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. May he find eternal peace, and may his spirit encourage us all to serve our nation with the same fervor he exemplified.”