The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has been confirmed dead at 56.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness, according to a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, Lagbaja was appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.
Lagbaja’s health had taken a turn for the worse, creating apprehension within the military for some time. His family had arranged for him to receive medical treatment abroad due to his “strange” ailment.
The exact nature of his ailment was never disclosed.
Before his passing, President Tinubu had appointed Major General Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff to replace him.
Lagbaja had a distinguished military career, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and later in the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played critical roles in major internal security operations, including Operations ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
The late General is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu extended his deepest sympathies to Lagbaja’s family, celebrating his lifetime of service and honoring his substantial contributions to Nigeria’s military and security.
Furthermore, the president ordered postponing the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for today in honor of the fallen general. A new date for the meeting will be announced later.
Nigeria officially begins a seven-day mourning, and by order of the President, says Mr. Onanuga, all Nigerian flags will be flown at half-staff in his honor.
There is no official announcement yet regarding his funeral.
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