PRESIDENT Bola Ahmed Tinubu has announced the death of Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff (COAS).
Lagbaja reportedly died at age 56.
This was revealed in a statement issued by the special adviser to the President, on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on his X account on Wednesday, November 6.
According to the statement, Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
The ICIR reported that the Nigerian Army dismissed the rumoured death of the Lagbaja in October.
The rumour of his death, which originated from a tweet by Jackson Ude, a former presidential aide and social media commentator, went viral on social media.
Reacting to the tweet in a post on X, the Army spokesperson, Onyema Nwachukwu, a brigadier general, urged Nigerians to ignore the post.
He said Lagbaja was on official leave, and proper procedures were put in place for Abdulsalami Ibrahim, a major general and the chief of policy and plans of the Army, to act in his place.
Nwachukwu argued that Lagbaja’s absence was not disrupting the Army’s operations.
However, The ICIR reported on October 30 that the president appointed Olufemi Oluyede, a major general, to act in Lagbaja’s place.
According to a statement by the president’s spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, Oluyede will act in the position pending when Lagbaja, whom the presidency said was indisposed, returns to Nigeria.
On Tuesday, November 5, Tinubu promoted the acting COAS Oluyede, who was a Major-General, to the rank of Lieutenant General amid growing speculations over the COAS Taoreed Lagbaja’s health.
Tinubu, in his remarks at the short ceremony at the Aso Rock, praised Oluyede’s dedication and service to the Nigerian military, describing the promotion as a recognition of his commitment.
However, Oluyede’s elevation to Lieutenant General suggests Lagbaja may not make a comeback again into the position.
According to the statement, Lagbaja had a distinguished military career that began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 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,” the statement added
He is survived by his wife Mariya and their two children.
A reporter with the ICIR
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