Lagbaja: Defence minister, CDS, service chiefs visit widow

The Minister of Defence, Muhammed Badaru, and the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, on Thursday, led service chiefs to pay a condolence visit to the family of the late Chief of Army Staff Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.

The News Agency of Nigeria recalls that Lagbaja’s death was announced by President Bola Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday.

Lagbaja, who was the 23rd COAS, passed on at the age of 56 after a brief illness.

The service chiefs who accompanied the ministers were the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm Emmanuel Ogalla, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and the Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj Gen Emmanuel Undiandeye.

Also on the visit was the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Dr Ibrahim Kana.

The acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, received the visitors at the Flag Staff House, the official residence of the COAS at Nigerian Barracks, Abuja.

The ministers and the service chiefs took a turn to write their condolence messages in the register opened at the residence.

Following the visit, Egbetokun directed police officers across the country to wear black bands to mourn the death of Lagbaja.

A statement on Thursday by the Force Spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, said the band would be worn for seven days to pay tribute to the deceased army chief.

Adejobi said, “Following the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has ordered officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to wear black bands throughout the seven-day mourning period.

“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria. He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means.”

Osun declares three-day mourning

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, declared a three-day mourning in the state, beginning from Thursday, in honour of Lagbaja.

The governor also directed that half-mast flags should be flown in the state during the mourning period.

This was contained in a press release signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Mr Kolapo Alimi, obtained in Osogbo, on Thursday.

Alimi also disclosed that condolence registers had been opened at the Government House and the Governor’s office.

Describing Lagbaja’s death as devastating, a colossal loss to humanity and the nation, Alimi also said the memory of the late COAS would linger in the minds of the people.

“The government is sad at this irreparable loss of one of the glory of Osun State, and we particularly condole with the Lagbaja family of Ilobu, the Olobu of Ilobu and everyone.

“The mourning period is to start today, Thursday, November 7, 2024 and end on Saturday 9, while the condolence register is for people to pen down their memories of him, for the immortality of the late COAS, who died at age 56.

“Once again, we pray to God to repose the soul of late Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja, and grant him Aljanna Firdaus, Ameen,” the statement read.