Tinubu, Govs, Akpabio, CDS, Others Mourn Lagbaja

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, immediate past president Muhammadu Buhari, Nigerian governors and Senate president Godswill Akpabio are among prominent Nigerians who are mourning the passing of the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.

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

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, he passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

He played pivotal roles in numerous 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.

An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

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

During this challenging time, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.

Meanwhile, Tinubu has ordered the Federal Executive Council meeting to be rescheduled until another date is announced.

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, Initially scheduled for today, the council meeting was postponed in honour of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday night.

In addition, former President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing him as a patriot and an outstanding officer who diligently served the nation.

In a statement by his media aide, Garba Shehu, following the official announcement of the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, the former president said he was deeply shocked by the news of death, adding that the nation had lost one of its finest soldiers.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) has commiserated with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed  Lagbaja.

In a statement personally signed by its chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, the NGF said: “We send our profound condolences to Mr. President, the Nigerian military establishment, and the family on the sad loss of this great patriot.

In their condolence message, the Northern States Governors Forum mourned the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday at the age of 56.

The forum’s chairman and governor of Gombe State, Inuwa Yahaya, expressed the forum’s grief over Lagbaja’s death in a press release by his media aide, Isma’ila Uba Misilli.

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, as an exemplary officer who gave his all for the territorial security and unity of the country.

Akpabio said he received the news of the death of the late military chief with shock a few days after he had spoken with the president and was upbeat about his return to office.

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I received the news of the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, with shock. His death, coming at a time when the country needed his wealth of experience in tackling and ending insecurity in some parts of the country, is a massive loss to the government and the security community.

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, has expressed sorrow over the demise of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, on Tuesday after a brief illness.

General Musa, in a condolence message signed by the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau, described Lagbaja as a courageous, hard-working, reliable, loyal, and dedicated service chief whose tireless efforts and steadfast commitment to the security and well-being of the nation were unparalleled.

General Musa commiserated with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the family of the late General Lagbaja, and all Nigerians over the sad loss.

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has described the sad loss of the chief of army staff, Lt General Taoheed Lagbaja, as “a huge misfortune.”

In a statement he signed and made available to journalists by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke agonised that misfortune has befallen the people of his state, the Ilobu community and the Nigerian army with the death of Lagbaja.

In the same vein, Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde described the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, as a sad loss to the country.

The governor, who described Lagbaja as a patriot and one of the finest military officers produced by the country, expressed his condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Nigerian Army.

Also, Omooba Dotun Babayemi, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state, lamented Lagbaja’s demise and said the late COAS’s departure would be greatly felt, considering his invaluable contributions to stabilising the country’s security architecture.

A former Osun State governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, in his condolence message to the late COAS’s family, relations, and colleagues, described Gen. Lagbaja’s death as a monumental loss to Nigeria, the Nigerian Army, and the military in general.

Meanwhile, the Ilobu community in Irepodun local government area of Osun State, the hometown of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was in a reflective mood yesterday following the announcement of their illustrious son’s death.

Consequently, the community has suspended its annual Ilobu Day celebration, which is the 32nd in the series slated for November 4-10, 2024, indefinitely.

When contacted, the National President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU), Olufemi Salako, expressed shock at Lagbaja’s demise, saying that the late COAS died when his service and leadership were much needed for the development of their community.