Nigeria Mourns the Sudden Death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja
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Nigeria in mourning following the sudden death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, in Lagos after a brief illness. His death comes less than a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, making it a profound loss to the nation’s military leadership.
General Lagbaja’s passing marks the third time in Nigeria’s history that a serving Chief of Army Staff has died in office, following previous tragic incidents involving military heads.
Previous Deaths of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff
1. General Joseph Akahan (1967)
General Akahan, appointed as Army Chief shortly before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash. After visiting the frontlines in Nsukka, he returned to his hometown of Gboko for a brief rest. His helicopter, en route back to Makurdi, crashed, killing him and two pilots on board.
2. General Ibrahim Attahiru (May 21, 2021)
General Attahiru, appointed in January 2021, served as the Army Chief amidst growing security concerns in Nigeria. His tenure was cut short when his aircraft, on an official mission from Abuja to Kaduna, crashed due to severe weather conditions. He and 10 members of his entourage were tragically killed in the crash.
3. General Taoreed Lagbaja (November 5, 2024)
General Lagbaja, an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1992. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, he had a distinguished career, including service as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played key roles in various internal security operations, including Operation Zaki in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
According to a statement issued by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, General Lagbaja passed away after a brief illness in Lagos. His death comes just weeks after he was confirmed to be indisposed.
Succession and New Appointment
In the wake of General Lagbaja’s death, his classmate from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Olufemi Oluyede, has been appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff. Oluyede’s appointment was announced last Wednesday by the Acting Chief of Army Staff, following confirmation of Lagbaja’s prolonged illness.
General Lagbaja’s death has sent shockwaves through the Nigerian military and the nation as a whole, and he will be remembered for his exemplary service and leadership in the armed forces.
National and Military Tributes
The Nigerian military, along with citizens across the country, have expressed their condolences and paid tributes to the late Chief of Army Staff, hailing his dedication to national security and his leadership during challenging times.
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