Tributes Galore for Late Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja

There has been an avalanche of tributes for his gallantry, patriotism, and contributions to Nigeria for the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja whose death was announced on Wednesday, November 6, after a protracted illness. He was being celebrated by the high and low in the society who overwhelmed his wife and family with glowing tributes.

In his honour the national flags continued to fly at half mast and a meeting of the Federal Executive Council scheduled for Wednesday had to be postponed to a later date. Dignitaries including the first lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu besieged the Abuja official residence of the Lagbajas to express condolences to his wife, children, and family.

 But the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede was one of the early callers to pay a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff who passed on Tuesday 5th November 2024 after a brief illness.

He was accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.  Gen Oluyede extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

 In his message in the condolence register, the Acting COAS stated, “It is with a huge sense of loss, albeit responsibility that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army commiserate with Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, the children, and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (Nigerian Army Medal) the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army.

“Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation. This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he had left behind. We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed.

” It would be recalled that the Late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was on 19 June 2023 appointed Chief of Army Staff by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and fully assumed command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd COAS on 23 June 2023.

 “A seasoned Infantry officer, the late General Lagbaja, was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He distinguished himself as a Special Forces Commander and a military leader per excellence who held several appointments during his exemplary military career.

“Late General Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in Enugu and Kaduna, respectively. He also commanded 9 Brigade Ikeja and 2 Brigade Uyo as well as 72 Special Forces Battalion on two separate tours of duty.

“Prior to his assumption of command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, he was the Chief of Operations (Army), where he coordinated all the operational activities of the Nigerian Army. As the then Chief of Army Staff, he worked assiduously to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges experienced across the nation.” The statement was issued by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.

On his part, the Chief of Defence Staff on behalf of the AFN expresses profound sorrow over the passing of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, yesterday, Tuesday, after a brief illness.

“General Musa conveys his deepest condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, His Excellency President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, family of the late General Lagbaja and all Nigerians over this sad loss.

The First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu also paid a condolence visit to the family of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja. She was accompanied by the wife of Vice President Hajia Nana Shettima and the wife of the National Security Adviser, Hajia Ribadu. They were received by the wife of the Chief of Defence Staff, Mrs Oghogho Musa prayed for the family.

Comforting Mrs Mariya Abiodun Lagbaja, and the children, Senator Oluremi Tinubu noted that the Lord only can determine when a man dies. She urged them to be comforted by the good life and legacies he left behind. She urged the children to remain focused and pursue the ideals their father lived for. The Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja died after a period of illness at the age of 56 years.

The Deputy Senate President, Jibrin Barau, has also mourned the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ismail Mudashir, on Wednesday, Barau praised the late Army Chief’s dedication to Nigeria, highlighting his significant contributions to national security.

He said, “It is with profound sadness that we mourn the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who passed away last night in Lagos after a period of illness.

Northern Governors Forum

The Northern Governors Forum Chairman, Gov. Inuwa Yahaya of Gombe described Lagbaja as a distinguished officer who served Nigeria with remarkable courage and dedication.

Mr Yahaya, in a condolence message by his media aide, Ismaila Uba-Misilli, on Wednesday in Gombe, commiserated with the Nigerian Army.

He commended General Lagbaja’s commitment to the Armed Forces and dedication to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty amidst insurgency, banditry, and other criminal activities. “Lagbaja’s leadership strengthened Nigeria’s defence framework and upheld peace and stability.

“On behalf of the Northern States Governors Forum, I send my deepest sympathy to the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede and members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.”

He urged the government and people of Osun state to find solace in General Lagbaja’s legacy of valour and service.

Ministers of Defence Commiserate

Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawelle, commiserated with the President, military, and Lagbaja’s family over his death.

The ministers described Lagbaja’s death as a great loss to his family, the army, and the nation at large: “The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence as our working relationship with him is commendable. He exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.