Please Kindly Share This Story
It was a painful and tear-filled day for Nigeria as the remains of former Chief of Army Staff, Taoheed Lagbaja was buried at the national military cemetery, Abuja with President Bola Tinubu described the late army chief as a “true soldier, a general and officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.”
Lagbaja, a lieutenant general, died November 5, in Lagos after a brief illness.
President Tinubu and his entourage, including some senior Nigerian military officers and foreign military personnel, were at the cemetery where Lagbaja was laid to rest in the presence of his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
President Tinubu said- “For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well.”
The President said God took Mr Lagbaja’s life at “a time when his service to the nation could mean so much.”
However, the president celebrated the “selfless” lieutenant general “who gave everything for Nigeria.”
During the burial ceremony, Tinubu posthumously conferred the title of Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) of Nigeria on Mr Lagbaja. The deceased’s wife, Mariya, received the award on behalf of her late husband.
Earlier at the National Christian Centre, Abuja, the First Lady, Oluremi Tinubu, praised the late army chief as an “exemplified man, a soldier, a gentleman and a patron with an unwavering dedication to the service.”
The first lady said her thoughts and prayers “are with his (Mr Lagbaja) wife, Mariya, their two children, family and friends and colleagues.”
On Thursday, the Nigeria Army held an event in honour of Mr Lagbaja shortly after his body arrived from Lagos.
The event, a Service of Songs, was held at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
Lagbaja was was born on 28 February 1968, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State. He lived his early life in Osogbo where he attended St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19th September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps.
Between 1992 and 1995, Mr Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, he obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy. He studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master’s level.
He was an instructor at Nigerian Defence Academy between 2001 and 2004. He was a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations. Then he was a Directing Staff at Armed Forces Command and Staff College from 2006 – 2009.
By 2009, he became Deputy Chief of Staff G1 at Headquarters 81 Division and subsequently, he became Commanding Officer at 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi from 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015.
In 2016, he was named the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division, Monguno. He served as Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations from January – December 2018. He was a Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.
Before he was appointed as army chief, Mr Lagbaja was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 – August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division – from August 2022 – June 2023.
Earlier in 2008, he attended the Military Observers Course on Peacekeeping Wing at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008) and ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010).
He started his career as a second lieutenant and died as a lieutenant general, a rank he attained in September 2019
Mr Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation LAFIYA DOLE; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation FOREST SANITY – Aug 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger states.
Mr Lagbaja is not the first army chief to die while in office. In 2021, Ibrahim Attahiru, a lieutenant general and then chief of army staff died in a Kaduna-bound plane crash. Mr Attahiru died alongside 10 other military officers and crew.
Share this:
TwitterFacebookWhatsAppTelegramLinkedInEmailPrint
Support PREMIUM TIMES’ journalism of integrity and credibility
At Premium Times, we firmly believe in the importance of high-quality journalism. Recognizing that not everyone can afford costly news subscriptions, we are dedicated to delivering meticulously researched, fact-checked news that remains freely accessible to all.
Whether you turn to Premium Times for daily updates, in-depth investigations into pressing national issues, or entertaining trending stories, we value your readership.
It’s essential to acknowledge that news production incurs expenses, and we take pride in never placing our stories behind a prohibitive paywall.
Would you consider supporting us with a modest contribution on a monthly basis to help maintain our commitment to free, accessible news?
Make Contribution
TEXT AD: Call Willie – +2348098788999
PT Mag Campaign AD
Previous Post
Police detain officers allegedly involved in N2.3m extortion in Abuja
Next Post
Dangote Cement to issue new bonds after thirty-month lull
Yakubu Mohammed
Yakubu Mohammed
More News
Nigeria Police
Police detain officers allegedly involved in N2.3m extortion in Abuja
November 15, 2024
NJC Building
NJC clears five judges of alleged misconduct, recommends 38 for judicial appointments (FULL LIST)
November 15, 2024
ECOWAS Meeting
ECOWAS Court dismisses Nigerian’s suit seeking N5m damages over police torture
November 15, 2024
President Tinubu paying last respect to the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja.
Tinubu confers posthumous honour on late army chief Lagbaja
November 15, 2024
Nigeria Police
Police recover, return N2.3 million officers extorted from Abuja resident
November 15, 2024
A chessboard
FCT Schools: Winners emerge from third annual chess competition
November 15, 2024
Leave Comment
About Us
Advert Rates
Contact Us
Our Digital Network
PT Hausa
Election Centre
Human Trafficking Investigation
Centre for Investigative Journalism
National Conference
Press Attack Tracker
PT Academy
Dubawa
LeaksNG
Campus Reporter
Resources
Oil & Gas Facts
List of Universities in Nigeria
LIST: Federal Unity Colleges in Nigeria
NYSC Orientation Camps in Nigeria
Nigeria’s Federal/States’ Budgets since 2005
Malabu Scandal Thread
World Cup 2018
Panama Papers Game
Projects & Partnerships
AUN-PT Data Hub
#EndSARS Dashboard
Parliament Watch
Panama Papers
AGAHRIN
#PandoraPapers
#ParadisePapers
#SuisseSecrets
Our Digital Network Advert Rates About Us Contact Us Resources Projects Data & Infographics
DONATE
All content is Copyrighted © 2024 The Premium Times, Nigeria
Home
Elections
News
Investigations
Gender
Business
Health
Agriculture
Arts/Life
Sports
#EndSARS Dashboard
AUN-PT Data Hub
Projects
Opinion
PT Hausa
The Membership Club
DONATE
About Us
Advert Rates
Dubawa NG
PT Jobs
Digital Store
Contact Us
All content is Copyrighted © 2024 The Premium Times, Nigeria
