President Bola Tinubu has expressed his “profound regret” over the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away at 56 after a brief illness. The handling of his illness and death was wrapped in secrecy. For weeks, the nation was left guessing, with officials denying rumors, even as news of his condition leaked.
Lagbaja, whose military journey began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, was promoted to Chief of Army Staff in June 2023 by Tinubu. In a statement issued through Segun Imohiosen, Director of Information & Public Relations for the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Tinubu announced that national flags will be flown at half-mast for seven days to honour Lagbaja. He praised Lagbaja’s contributions and offered condolences to his family, wishing them strength to bear the loss.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja was a respected military figure, holding command positions throughout his career. His role in significant operations from “Operation ZAKI” in Benue to “Operation Lafiya Dole” in Borno and “Forest Sanity” across Kaduna and Niger highlighted his dedication. When appointed, he brought an ambitious vision for Nigeria’s security. Unfortunately, he couldn’t fully implement his plans, with his tenure cut short.
A graduate of the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, Lagbaja was dedicated to military excellence. His commitment to Nigeria and to the service remained unquestionable. Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children, leaving behind a legacy of courage, though his tenure was shadowed by government secrecy right to the end.
