By Habeeb Ibrahim
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has passed away at the age of 56. His death was confirmed on Wednesday by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. According to Onanuga, Lagbaja died Tuesday night in Lagos following a period of illness.
In an official statement titled “Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his condolences to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. “President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences… and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.
Appointed on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu, Lt. General Lagbaja held a distinguished career, noted for his leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s security.
He served in key internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States. Lagbaja was also an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College.
Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
In the interim, President Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff last week, with Oluyede recently promoted to Lieutenant General.
