Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has passed away in Lagos at the age of 56, marking another tragic loss in the nation’s military leadership.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed the death in an official statement released Wednesday morning.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness,” the statement read.
In expressing the nation’s grief, Onanuga conveyed President Tinubu’s message: “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 honors his significant contributions to the nation.”
The announcement comes after recent speculation about Lagbaja’s health. Two weeks prior, rumors of his death had circulated, prompting the Defence Headquarters to issue a clarification stating he was on leave. Subsequently,
The Explainer reported President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Major General Olufemi Oluyede as acting chief of army staff. Oluyede’s recent decoration with the rank of lieutenant-general suggested his impending confirmation as the substantive army chief.
Lagbaja, who assumed the role of army chief on June 19, 2023, under President Tinubu’s administration, had an illustrious military career spanning over three decades.
Born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, he began his military journey at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as part of the 39th Regular Course.
His extensive military education included strategic studies at the U.S. Army War College at the master’s level, complementing his bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
Throughout his career, Lagbaja held numerous significant positions, including roles as platoon commander, instructor, and commanding officer across various military divisions.
The late army chief’s service record included participation in crucial military operations.
He served in Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), and various internal security operations including Operation LAFIYA DOLE and Operation FOREST SANITY.
Prior to his appointment as army chief, Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022, followed by leadership of Headquarters 1 Division until June 2023.
His rise through the ranks culminated in his promotion to lieutenant general in September 2019.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja, and their two children.
His death marks the second time in recent years that Nigeria has lost a serving army chief, following the 2021 death of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru in a Kaduna-bound plane crash that claimed 10 other military officers and crew members.
