Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56.
GistReel gathered that his death occurred on Tuesday night after a period of illness.
Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, shared the news in a statement on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday.
The statement conveyed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s regret over the loss, extending condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
According to the announcement, “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.”
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.
He began his military career in 1987 when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy. Lagbaja was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course.
His career saw him in various leadership roles, including platoon commander positions in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played a vital role in numerous internal security operations, such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the renowned U.S. Army War College, Lt. General Lagbaja also earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, reflecting his commitment to excellence in military leadership.
He leaves behind his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu has expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honouring Lt. General Lagbaja’s invaluable contributions to the nation.
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