Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56.
His death occurred on Tuesday night in Lagos following an illness, according to a statement on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, who shared the news on X, formerly Twitter.
READ ALSO: APC chairman appoints former Kano information commissioner as chief of staff
In a formal announcement, Onanuga conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message, which expressed deep regret over the passing of Lt. General Lagbaja. “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56,” the statement read.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu. His military career, marked by dedication and service, began with his enrollment at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, leading to his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.
He held significant positions throughout his career, including platoon commander roles in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. Lt. General Lagbaja was actively involved in multiple security operations aimed at enhancing internal security, such as Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
A graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Lt. General Lagbaja earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to professional development and excellence in leadership.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. In his condolence message, President Tinubu extended his sympathies to Lt. General Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring the late officer’s contributions to the nation.
