The presidency has confirmed the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos at the age of 56 following an illness.
Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, issued an official statement on Wednesday. “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.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja had a distinguished career, starting with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.
He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course. His career included pivotal roles in several high-stakes internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu, taking on one of the country’s most significant military responsibilities. An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, he held a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his dedication to professional military excellence.
The statement noted, “Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
“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 presidency’s statement concluded.
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