Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56, following a period of illness. The announcement was made on Wednesday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, titled “Announcement of the Passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu expressed his deep condolences to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. “President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences and honours Lt. General Lagbaja’s significant contributions to the nation,” Onanuga conveyed.

Appointed on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu, Lagbaja was highly respected for his dedicated service and exceptional leadership throughout his career. He served in several critical roles, including as a platoon commander in both the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. Lagbaja led and contributed to various national 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. An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, he is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

In light of Lagbaja’s recent illness, President Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday, officially decorating him as Lieutenant General on Tuesday. During the ceremony, Tinubu praised Oluyede’s commitment and service, stating, “This recognition reflects your dedication to the Nigerian military. We appreciate your efforts to ensure the nation’s safety and stability.”

Lagbaja’s passing marks a significant loss for Nigeria’s military leadership, as he was known for his exemplary service and commitment to strengthening the nation’s security framework.