Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has died at the age of 56, according to an official statement from the Nigerian presidency.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, announced the passing, expressing deep regret over the loss of the nation’s top military leader.
“Lt. General Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness,” the statement read.
Appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023, General Lagbaja’s career spanned decades of dedicated service to Nigeria, beginning with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps in 1992.
Throughout his military tenure, General Lagbaja was noted for his commitment to national security, playing key roles in operations like Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, General Lagbaja held a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his dedication to military excellence and professional growth.
President Tinubu extended condolences to General Lagbaja’s family, including his wife Mariya and their two children, saying, “He will be remembered for his significant contributions to the nation.”
The statement, issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), concluded with a call for eternal peace for Lt. General Lagbaja.
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