Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede and other senior officers paid a condolence visit to Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late COAS, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks in Abuja on Wednesday.
Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd army chief, died in Lagos on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, after a brief illness.
He was initially receiving treatment outside the country before being flown back to Nigeria.
Oluyede was accompanied on the condolence visit by principal staff officers of the Army Headquarters, corps commanders and general officers commanding the Nigerian Army.
Oluyede said, “The nation owes Lagbaja a lot”, describing him as a hero who will be sorely missed.
In a statement by army spokesman Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, General Oluyede paid tribute to the late COAS and extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.
According to the statement, Oluyede wrote in the condolence register: “It is with a massive sense of loss, albeit responsibility, that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army commiserate with Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, the children and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (Nigerian Army Medal) the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation.
“This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind.
“We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way query the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed.”
Lagbaja was on June 19, 2023, appointed COAS by President Bola Tinubu and fully assumed command of the Nigerian Army on June 23, 2023.
Speaking with journalists afterwards, Oluyede said Tinubu made effort to save Lagbaja’s life.
First lady Oluremi Tinubu also visited Lagbaja’s family on Wednesday.
