Lagbaja’s body arrives in Lagos for proper funeral rites

The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived at the military wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos as part of the preparations to transport the remains to Abuja for further arrangements.

President Bola Tinubu had ordered a state burial for the late COAS.

According to Daily Trust, the senior military officers stood in formation to honour the late army chief, who passed away on Tuesday, November 5, after battling an illness in Lagos.

The late army chief was appointed President Tinubu appointed him COAS on June 19, 2023.

Meanwhile, before his death, President Bola Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the new acting COAS.

The service of songs for the late CAOS will be held between 5 pm and 7 pm on Thursday at the army headquarters, garrison parade ground, Mogadishu cantonment, Abuja, while the funeral service will be held between 10 am and 12:45 pm on Friday at the National Christian Centre in the central business district (CBD), Abuja.

The final interment will follow at the National Military Cemetery between 2 pm and 6 pm on Friday

Background of the story

The Informant247 had last Wednesday reported that Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, was reported dead.

According to a statement by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, titled ‘Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,’ Onanuga confirmed that Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

The statement reads, “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.

“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.

Lagbaja, an alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, is reported to be survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.

He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by Tinubu.

According to the statement, Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment throughout his service, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion, adding that he also 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.

Meanwhile, Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday as Lagbaja was confirmed indisposed for weeks.

On Tuesday, he decorated Oluyede as Lieutenant General.

“It is both an honour and a privilege to decorate you today.

“This recognition reflects your commitment and service to the Nigerian military, which speaks volumes through your exemplary record.

“We recognise all that you have been doing to ensure the country is safe and stable,” the President said.

Who is Taoreed Lagbaja, the late army chief?

Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (28 February 1968 – 5 November 2024) was a Nigerian Army lieutenant general who served as the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria from June 2023 to November 2024. He was appointed on 19 June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu to succeed Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.

Lagbaja was born in Ilobu in Irepodun, present-day Osun State, on 28 February 1968. He spent his early life in Osogbo, attending the St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.

Lagbaja was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps. Between 1992 and 1995, Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, Lagbaja obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master’s level.

He was an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy from 2001 to 2004. At a time, Lagbaja was a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations. Then, he was a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2006 to 2009.

In 2009, he became Deputy Chief of Staff G1 at Headquarters 81 Division, and subsequently, he became Commanding Officer at 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi from 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015. In 2016, he was named the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division, Monguno. He served as Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations from January to December 2018. He was a Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Before his new appointment, Lagbaja was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division from August 2022 to June 2023.

Earlier in 2008, he attended the Military Observers Course on Peacekeeping Wing at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008) and ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010). He started his career as a second lieutenant, and he was a lieutenant general, a rank he was promoted to in July 2023.

Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation “Lafiya Dole”; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation “Forest Sanity” – Aug 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger States.

Married to Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja, he also had three children.

Lagbaja died in Lagos, Nigeria, on 5 November 2024 at the age of 56. This followed speculation after he had not made a public appearance since September. A week before his death, he was replaced in an acting capacity by Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede.