The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Abbas Tajudeen on Wednesday expressed shock over the demise of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing him as “a gallant military officer”.
Speaker Abbas, while describing Lt. Gen. Lagbaja stated that the late Army Chief recorded modest achievements in a short period as the COAS adding that his death is a huge loss to the Armed Forces and Nigeria as a country.
Tribune Online reports that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja died on Tuesday night, aged 56, after an illness, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the President, Mr. Bayo Onanuga.
The Speaker recalled how Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, after becoming the COAS, went round military bases across the country, especially in the North-East and North-West, to motivate soldiers at the battlefields.
This, Speaker Abbas said, exemplified Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s dogged spirit and determination to make the country safe for all.
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His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy 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.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
The Speaker commiserated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Armed Forces, the Lagbaja family, the people, and government of Osun State over the loss.
He prayed for the repose of the soul of the late Chief of Army Staff.
NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
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