- Atiku, Oyinlola, Adeleke, Makinde, Sanwo-Olu grieve
President Bola Tinubu has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
The directive was contained in a statement issued Wednesday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume.
The statement signed by Director, Information & Public Relations, Office of the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Segun Imohiosen, said the President expressed regret following the death of the Chief of Army Staff after a brief illness at the age of 56 years.
The statement added that President Tinubu appreciated profoundly the services of the departed to the nation and wished the family the fortitude to bear the great loss.
President Tinubu also directed the postponement of the Federal Executive Council meeting till another date to be announced.
Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, in a release, stated that the FEC meeting initially scheduled for Wednesday was postponed in honour of General Lagbaja, who passed away Tuesday night.
Lagbaja, appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, had recently faced rumours about his health.
On October 20, the Nigerian Army dismissed reports of his death, confirming instead that the COAS was receiving medical treatment abroad.
Despite these reassurances, his condition remained a matter of concern, prompting President Tinubu to appoint Olufemi Oluyede as acting COAS on October 30. Just days ago, on November 5, Oluyede was officially promoted to the rank of a Lieutenant-General.
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, began his military journey in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps in 1992, quickly establishing himself as a capable leader.
His service record includes command roles in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played essential roles in significant internal security efforts, such as Operations ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, Lagbaja held a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to professional excellence and military leadership.
Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
Atiku, Oyinlola, Adeleke, Makinde, Sanwo-Olu grieve
Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has also reacted to the death of General Lagbaja.
Atiku, in a condolence message via his official X handle on Wednesday, condoled with the family of the late General and the Nigerian Army.
He wrote, “It is with a heavy heart and sorrowful spirit that I received the news of the tolling of the bell for the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who was called from this world in the very prime of his life.
“My heartfelt condolences go out to his grieving family and to the Nigerian Army, to which he dedicated his service with unwavering honour and distinction. May his soul find eternal peace and rest.”
Similarly, Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, on Wednesday mourned the passing of General Lagbaja, describing it as “a huge misfortune.”
In a press statement signed by him on Wednesday, Adeleke condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Lagbaja family of the Ilobu community, and the people of Osun State on the untimely death of the army chief.
The governor, who described Lagbaja as a hardworking officer, a dedicated soldier, and a model of the traditional army officer, said the deceased had an ambitious vision for modernising and integrating the Nigerian Army.
The governor said, “A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian Army, and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu. We have lost a rare breed, a gentleman, and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.
“Our late brother held a significant vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army. He initiated root-and-branch reforms for the military. In his short tenure, he enforced professionalism and fiercely confronted terrorists and bandits.
“Our late brother was a very hardworking officer, a true workaholic, and a fierce soldier, exemplifying the traditional army officer with an ambitious plan for modernising and integrating the Nigerian Army.”
Recalling his last encounter with the deceased, Adeleke said the meeting reflected Lagbaja’s hope and aspirations for a better Nigeria, with the military as a stabiliser and unifier of the federation.
“In the late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, confidence, and firmness to realise the vision of a new Nigerian Army.
“Unfortunately, the end came suddenly, and we surrendered to the will of the Almighty Creator. I commiserate with the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, my people of Ilobu, and the great Lagbaja family.
“We mourn together on this sad occasion. On behalf of the people and Government of Osun State, we extend our condolences to Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja and the two children,” the governor stated.
In the same vein, a former Governor of Osun State Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has sent a message of condolence to family, relations, and colleagues of the late General Lagbaja.
Oyinlola, who is also a retired General of the Nigerian Army, described General Lagbaja’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the Nigerian Army and the military in general.
He commiserated with the President and Commander-in-Chief, Bola Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Olufemi Oluyede, other service chiefs, senior officers of the armed forces and, indeed, all other officers and men of the Nigerian military.
While sending his condolences to the immediate family of General Lagbaja and the Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke, the former governor said the loss of the senior officer has made Nigeria, Osun State and the late General’s hometown, Ilobu, poorer.
“General Lagbaja was an example of what true gallantry means. A warrior of the finest breed, the late General showed the best of leadership for the Nigerian Army in the few months he served as the chief.
“He used his position to preserve the reputation of the Nigerian Army as a very competent fighting force. As he served the country with all his heart, he gave due respect and regards to his elders and seniors.
“When a young man dies like this, the temptation is to ask why? But who are we to query God? He gives and He takes at His own appointed time.
“The consolation is that he came, played his part well, and left in a blaze of glory. May his gallant soul rest in perfect peace,” Oyinlola said.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, on Wednesday described the death of General Lagbaja as a significant loss to the country.
Makinde, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, the state capital, described Lagbaja as “a patriot and one of the finest military officers the country has produced.”
“My condolences go to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, and to the Nigerian Army.
“I also commiserate with the immediate family of the late Chief of Army Staff, as well as the government and people of Osun State on the passing of their illustrious son. I pray to Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.”
Lagos State Governor and the Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has also mourned the passing of Lagbaja, describing his death as a colossal loss to Nigeria.
The Governor also commiserated with the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Tinubu, Security Chiefs, the Nigerian Army and the entire Nigerians over the death of the Chief of Army Staff.
Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Gboyega Akosile, described Lagbaja, who died on Tuesday night in Lagos following a brief illness at the age of 56, as a dutiful and committed soldier who served Nigeria passionately.
The Chairman of the South West Governors Forum, who also sympathised with the immediate family, friends and associates of the late 23rd Chief of Army Staff.
The Governor praised the late Lt. General Lagbaja’s contributions in Nigeria’s efforts to end the war against insurgency and banditry, noting that the country would miss the rich experience and knowledge of the deceased soldier.
He said, “On behalf of my family, the people, and the government of Lagos State, I extend my heartfelt condolences to President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army on the death of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. I also sympathise with families, friends, and associates of the deceased.
“I am saddened by the death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja. His death was a painful loss to Nigeria. He was a dutiful and committed soldier who served Nigeria passionately with dedication, skill, gallantry, and total commitment. He employed his long years of experience and expertise in the service of our fatherland.
“The late Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja will be sorely missed by the Nigerian Army, especially at this period when the country is intensifying the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements in different parts of the country.
“I pray that God would grant Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja eternal rest and grant the Nigerian army and the entire security chiefs, as well as the families, associates, and colleagues of the deceased, the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.”
