How Nigerian politicians react to death of Chief of Army Staff, Lagbaja

Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, died at the age of 56.

Mr Bayo Onanuga, the President’s spokesman, said in a statement on Wednesday that Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. “On Sept. 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion,” said President Bola Tinubu.

The President expressed his condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.

“He wishes Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” said the statement.

He also directed that National flag be flown at half mast for seven days in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

To mourn the late COAS, Tinubu ordered the rescheduling of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting till another date to be announced.

Meanwhile, a lot of Nigerian politicians and dignitaries have reacted to the COAS’ death.

We’ve lost a fine officer — Senate President, Akpabio

President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio has described the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, as a fine officer, who gave his all for the territorial security and unity of Nigeria.

He said he received the news of the death of the late military chief with shock, a few days after he had spoken with the president and was upbeat about his return to office.

Akpabio in a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, said: “I received the news of the death of Lagbaja, with shock.

“His death, coming at a time the country needed his wealth of experience in tackling and bringing to an end insecurity in some parts of the country is a huge loss to the country and the security community.

“He was a fine, committed and dedicated officer who served the country with all his might even at the risk of paying the supreme price.

” On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North-west Senatorial District and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with President Bola Tinubu, the military community and the larger Lagbaja family on this great loss.

“I pray that Almighty Allah, grant his wife, children, colleagues and those who knew him, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss and also grant the soul of the departed gallant officer Aljanah firdaus”. 

Lagbaja’s death, huge loss to Nigeria, Army — Uzodimma

Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, describing it as a “huge loss to Nigeria and the Army.”

Uzodimma conveyed his condolences in a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser on Media, Mr Oguwike Nwachuku, and made available to newsmen in Owerri on Wednesday.

He stated that Lagbaja’s passing was “devastating and unexpected”.

He also described the late army chief as a “humble, gallant and resourceful officer, who ensured that Nigeria’s territorial integrity was secured under his watch as COAS.”

“Lagbaja died when his services were most needed in the country.

“I commiserate with the Lagbaja’s family, particularly the widow, Mariya, on behalf of my family and the Government of Imo.

“Additionally, I extend my condolences to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, the Army leadership, the Government and people of Osun,” Uzodimma stated.

He prayed God Almighty “to grant all those Lagbaja left to mourn his passing the fortitude to bear the huge loss, and to the deceased’s soul, eternal rest”.

Lagbaja’s death, a huge misfortune — Adeleke

Governor of Osun state, Ademola Adelele has described as `a huge misfortune and sad loss’, the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja.

Adeleke, in a statement he personally signed on Wednesday, in Osogbo, said that a huge misfortune had befallen the people of his state, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu town.

“We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hand of death. Our late brother has a big vision of operational reforms for the Nigerian Army.

“He launched and commenced the implementation of root and branch reform of the Nigerian Army. Within his short stint in office, he enforced professionalism and battled terrorists and bandits with terrifying fierceness.

“Our late brother was a very hardworking officer, a true workaholic, a fierce soldier, a replica of the traditional army officer with an ambitious plan for modernisation and integration of the Nigerian Army.

“In my last encounter with him, he exuded hope and aspirations of a better Nigeria with the military as a stabiliser and unifier of the federation.

“In late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, the confidence and the firmness to realise the vision of a new Nigerian Army.

“Unfortunately, the end came suddenly, and we surrendered to the will of the Almighty creator.

“I commiserate with the Commander – in- Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, my people of Ilobu and the great Lagbaja family.

“On behalf of the people and Government of Osun state, we extend commiseration to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and the two children,” he said.

Lagbaja who died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness was born on Feb. 28, 1968.

He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.

Lagbaja was a native of Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun.

Acting COAS commiserates with late Lagbaja’s family

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has paid a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

Lagbaja is Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff who passed on Tuesday after a brief illness.

This is contained in a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Maj.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, on Wednesday in Abuja.

Nwachukwu said that Oluyede paid the condolence visit at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks Abuja, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.

He said that the Acting COAS paid tribute to the late COAS and extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years.

According to Nwachukw, Oluyede penned a succinct message in the condolence register opened in honour of the late COAS.

“The Acting COAS stated, “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.

“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 querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot.

Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed”, Oluyede wrote.

Giving a brief profile of Lagbaja, the army spokesman said the late army chief was appointed on June 19 2023 as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu and assumed command on June 23, 2023.

”A seasoned Infantry officer, the late Gen. Lagbaja, was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna.

“He distinguished himself as a Special Forces Commander and a military leader per excellence who held several appointments in the course of his exemplary military career.

“Late General Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in Enugu and Kaduna, respectively.

“He also commanded 9 Brigade Ikeja and 2 Brigade Uyo as well as 72 Special Forces Battalion on two separate tours of duty.

“Prior to his assumption of command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, he was the Chief of Operations (Army), where he coordinated all the operational activities of the Nigerian Army.

“As the then Chief of Army Staff, he worked assiduously to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges experienced across the nation,” he said. 

Governor Alia mourns Lagbaja

Gov. Hyacinth Alia of Benue on Wednesday mourned the death of Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the 23rd Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS).

Alia, in a condolence message by his Chief Press Secretary (CPS), Sir Tersoo Kula, issued in Makurdi, described Lagbaja as a ”fine, committed and dedicated senior military officer”.

Alia condoled with the President and Commander in-Chief of the Nigeria Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army and the immediate family of the deceased COAS.

The governor extolled the key roles played by the deceased toward ensuring internal security in the country.

“The late COAS developed keen interest in the security situation in Benue and worked assiduously with my administration to ensure lasting peace in the state.

”May God grant his immediate family, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the country in general the fortitude to bear this great loss,” Kalu quoted Alia.