The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has passed away at age 56.
Special Adviser to the President (Information and Strategy), Bayo Onanuga, announced his death on Wednesday on the X platform.
According to the announcement, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, expressed deep sorrow over Lt. General Lagbaja’s passing, who died on Tuesday night in Lagos following an illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.
His military career began at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.
He served in key positions throughout his career, including as platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion, and led vital internal security operations across Nigeria, such as Operations ZAKI, Lafiya Dole, Udoka, and Forest Sanity.
A U.S. Army War College graduate with a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, Lt. General Lagbaja was dedicated to advancing military leadership and strategy.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu extended his condolences to Lt. General Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honouring the significant contributions he made to the nation.
