The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has paid a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, the widow of the late army chief, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a brief illness. He was 56 years old.
A day after his death, Oluyede led a delegation of top military brass to commiserate with the Lagbaja family.
This was disclosed in a statement on Wednesday by the Director Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu.
He said Oluyede was accompanied on the visit to the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks Abuja, resistance of COAS by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.
The acting COAS extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general
“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 (Nigerian Army Medal) the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
Oluyede stated that that Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of the dear nation.
According to him, this was evident Lagbaja’s dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind.
“We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed,” he noted.
President Bola Tinubu had earlier announced the passing of the Chief of Army Staff.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
His military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
Lt. General Lagbaja also served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children
