Acting Chief of Army Staff, Gen Olufemi Oluyede, Pays Condolence Visit to Family of Late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, has paid a condolence visit to the family of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff, who passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, after a brief illness.

Gen Oluyede, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding (GOCs) of the Nigerian Army, visited the family at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks, Abuja on Wednesday, November 6, 2024, to extend condolences to Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja and other members of the Lagbaja family.

In a tribute to the late COAS, Gen Oluyede praised his leadership, gallantry, and immense contributions to the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria. "It is with a huge sense of loss, albeit responsibility, that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, commiserate with Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, the children, and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant, and extremely dedicated leader, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja," Gen Oluyede wrote in the condolence register.

He continued, "Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation. This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind. We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way query the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed."

Lieutenant General Lagbaja, who was appointed as Chief of Army Staff by President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu on June 19, 2023, formally assumed command of the Nigerian Army on June 23, 2023.

A seasoned Infantry officer and a distinguished graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, Gen Lagbaja was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course. Throughout his career, he earned a reputation for excellence, particularly as a Special Forces Commander.

He served in several significant leadership roles, including General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army, as well as commanding 9 Brigade in Ikeja, 2 Brigade in Uyo, and 72 Special Forces Battalion, with multiple tours of duty.

Prior to his appointment as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Gen Lagbaja served as the Chief of Operations (Army), where he played a critical role in coordinating the Nigerian Army’s operational activities, particularly in combating terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges in the country.

His tenure as the Chief of Army Staff was marked by a strong commitment to addressing Nigeria’s pressing security concerns and ensuring the operational effectiveness of the Army.

The sudden passing of General Lagbaja has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian military and the nation at large. As tributes continue to pour in, his legacy as a dedicated military leader who served his country with honor remains firmly etched in the annals of the Nigerian Army’s history.

The late General's family, colleagues, and the entire Nigerian Army mourn his loss, and his contributions will continue to inspire future generations of military leaders.