Lagbaja’s death, a national loss — Ogun gov

Ogun State Governor, Dapo Abiodun, has commiserated with the Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Army chief died at the age of 56 on Tuesday night in Lagos State after a brief illness.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser, Kayode Akinmade, the governor described Lagbaja as a patriotic and gallant officer who gave his best in the service of his fatherland.

The governor further eulogised Lagbaja’s sense of coordination and team spirit, saying the late Army Chief redefined the tenets of military engagement in the manner and speed at which he tackled terrorism and banditry with huge success.

He said, “Without mincing words, the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja is indeed a colossal loss to the military and Nigeria at large. However, our solace lies in his very impactful, patriotic and eventful life.

“As a gallant soldier of high courage and doggedness, he gave his best in defending the territorial integrity of his fatherland. May God Almighty rest his soul and grant his immediate family the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.

“I, therefore, commiserate with the Commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Nigerian Armed Forces, Governor Ademola Adeleke and the entire community of Ilobu in Osun State, his ancestral home.”

Lagbaja’s death was announced in a State House release by the president’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy on Wednesday.

Tinubu, state governors, the House of Representatives, among others, have eulogised the late COAS for his efforts in the fight against national insecurity.