By Abiola Olawale
The family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has announced that he will be laid to rest in Abuja on Friday, November 15, 2024.
This news was shared by his immediate elder brother, Moshood Lagbaja, during a condolence visit made by members of the St Charles Grammar School Osogbo Old Boys Association (SCOBA) in Osogbo, the capital of Osun State.
Moshood explained that the Military had assured the family that the late COAS would be given a befitting burial in Abuja on Friday.
Speaking during the condolence visit, the leader of the delegation, who is also the first Vice President, Nigeria of the alumni association, Engineer Adesina Salami, described the late Lagbaja as an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served the nation with unwavering dedication.
Salami said: “We mourn the loss of an exceptional individual, a proud Charlean, and a distinguished military leader who served our nation with unwavering dedication. Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s remarkable life, selfless service, and enduring legacy inspire us.
“He made an inspiring and unforgettable impact on the Charlean Family Worldwide during his glorious lifetime.”
The New Diplomat reports that Lagbaja passed away in the late hours of Tuesday, November 5, 2024.
His demise was announced in a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Onanuga said Lagbaja passed away in Lagos after a period of illness.
Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army.
He was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps. Between 1992 and 1995, Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion. In 2001, Lagbaja 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 the Nigerian Defence Academy from 2001 to 2004. At a time, Lagbaja was a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations. He was also a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, from 2006 to 2009.
In 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 to December 2018. He was a Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Before his new appointment, Lagbaja was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division from August 2022 to June 2023.
