Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar has conveyed his condolences to the grieving family of Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, former Chief of Army Staff (COAS) under the President Bola Tinubu regime, who reportedly died on Tuesday night in a Lagos hospital, at 56.
In the same vein, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, expressed deep condolences on the army chief’s passing.
In a statement on his X handle, on behalf of his family and supporters, Obi conveyed heartfelt sympathy to the Lagbaja family, the Federal Government and the Nigerian Army.
Also, the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF) as a body and some state governors have joined in mourning the gallant soldier.
The Board, management and staff of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited (NNPCL) were not left out in the fray.
Tinubu, yesterday, ordered the rescheduling of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting till a date to be announced.
In a heartfelt tribute shared on his X handle, Atiku stated: “The passing of any soul diminishes us all, for in the departure of one, a part of humanity fades away.”
He prayed that the late Lagbaja’s soul find eternal peace.
Obi described his demise as painful and acknowledged the profound void his passing left in his family and across the country.
“May God Almighty, who called him home at this time, forgive his sins, grant him eternal rest and grant his family, Nigeria’s military, the Nigerian government and all of us the fortitude to bear this sad and irreplaceable loss,” Obi stated.
Joining Tinubu and the rest of the country to mourn Lagbaja, NGF, through its Chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, stated: “We send our profound condolences to the President, the Nigerian military establishment and the Lagbaja family on the sad loss of this great patriot.
“Our hearts are especially with the family and the Army at this difficult moment. We are comforted by the unforgettable memories of his unblemished services to our country. Even in death, Lt-Gen Lagbaja stands honoured for his bravery and dedication to a greater, united Nigeria.”
The forum prayed to God to forgive his shortcomings, admit him to paradise and give his family the strength to get through this tough phase of life.
In their capacity, Governors Hope Uzodimma of Imo State, Peter Mbah of Enugu, Ademola Adeleke of Osun and Ahmed Ododo of Kogi also mourned the late service chief.
Uzodimma described Lagbaja’s death as a huge loss to the country and the Army.
In a statement, yesterday, the Chief Press Secretary/Special Adviser Media to the Governor, Oguwike Nwachuku said his principal was shocked to receive the news of Lagbaja’s passing, which he said was devastating and unexpected.
The governor described Lagbaja as a humble, gallant and resourceful Army officer, who did his best to ensure that Nigeria’s territorial integrity was secured under his watch as COAS.
Expressing deep grief, Mbah described the deceased as a gallant patriotic officer, who gave his all to the nation. He equally described Lagbaja’s death as a personal loss to the government and people of Enugu.
Adeleke, in a condolence message, tagged Lagbaja’s transition as a huge misfortune to the Osun people, noting that the deceased had a big vision to reform the Nigerian Army.
He said: “A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun, the Nigerian army and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu. We lost a rare breed, a gentleman and a true patriot to the cold hands of death.
“We mourn together on this sad occasion. On behalf of the people and government of Osun, we extend commiseration to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and the two children.”
Ododo, in a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, expressed shock over the death of the COAS, describing it as “a huge loss to the country as a whole”.
He said the departure of the brave army chief was particularly sad at a time when the fight against insecurity in Nigeria gathered momentum, noting that the late Lagbaja was a fearless General, an indomitable fighter, a tactical genius and an uncompromising warrior, who was determined to stamp out terrorism and banditry from the country.
NNPCL, in a statement by its Chief Corporate Communications Officer, Olufemi Soneye, noted that the late COAS was a great support to the state-owned oil firm in the fight against pipeline vandalism and oil theft, not leaving it in doubt about his commitment to the nation’s economic prosperity.
“We, at the NNPCL, condole with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Bola Tinubu, and the Nigerian Army on this monumental loss of a brilliant officer and a gentleman who served the nation with commitment and distinction,” it stated.
Tinubu in a statement by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said the FEC meeting was postponed in honour of Lagbaja.
Lagbaja served as COAS from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.
The President also ordered that flags be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.
Earlier, Tinubu had sent condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja began his military career in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) 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.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operations Zaki in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the South East 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.
