President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, deeply regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, at the age of 56. He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos following a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
Lt. General Lagbaja’s distinguished military career began in 1987 when he enrolled at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment to duty. He served in various key roles, including as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played an instrumental role in numerous significant internal security operations, such as Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno, Operation Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
A highly respected military strategist, Lt. General Lagbaja was also an alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to professional development and excellence in military leadership.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu extends his deepest condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this period of mourning. He prays for the eternal repose of Lt. General Lagbaja’s soul and honors his remarkable contributions to the defense and security of the nation.
