CoAS Lagbaja is Dead

Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, is dead. News of his transition is contained in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

According to the statement, Lt Gen Lagbaja, 56, died in a Lagos hospital on Tuesday.

 “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56."

The late CoAS was born on February 28, 1968 and enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 19, 1992.

A member of the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course, the late CoAS 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 September 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. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving 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," Onanuga's statement read in part.