Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, has died at the age of 56. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the news late Tuesday, expressing sorrow over the loss of the prominent military leader.
Lt. General Lagbaja passed away in Lagos after an illness, according to a statement from the presidency. Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja had a distinguished career in the Nigerian military, spanning several decades. He was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His military journey began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he trained rigorously before being commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps in 1992. Throughout his career, Lt. General Lagbaja held numerous leadership roles, including commanding platoons in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He was actively involved in key internal security operations, such as Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
As an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s in Strategic Studies, Lt. General Lagbaja was respected for his professional development and commitment to military strategy.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu offered condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring Lt. General Lagbaja’s contributions to the nation and expressing wishes for his eternal peace.