Nigeria is mourning the loss of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, who passed away at age 56 in Lagos following an illness.
The announcement was made by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information, expressing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s deep sorrow over the loss. Lt. General Lagbaja, appointed as Army Chief in June 2023, served Nigeria with dedication since his commissioning in 1992.
A graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy and the U.S. Army War College, he held a Master’s in Strategic Studies and took part in major security operations, including efforts in Benue, Borno, and Kaduna states.
His leadership was instrumental in maintaining stability across Nigeria through operations like Lafiya Dole and Forest Sanity. Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu praised his legacy of courage and commitment, honoring the Army Chief’s lifelong contributions to national security. The President has since appointed General Olufemi Oluyede as his interim successor.
