Tinubu orders national mourning, flags at half-mast for late Lagbaja

President Bola Tinubu has ordered that Nigeria’s national flags be flown at half mast for seven days in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday night after a prolonged illness. He was 56.

Lagbaja, who was appointed to the position of Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, has been mourned by the nation. The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, confirmed the directive in a statement issued on Wednesday by his office’s Director of Information and Public Relations, Segun Imohiosen.

In the statement, Akume conveyed President Tinubu’s sorrow over the death of the Army chief, noting, “The President has expressed regret following the death of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja after a brief illness.”

The statement also affirmed, “The President has directed that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days to honour the departed Army chief.”

President Tinubu extended his gratitude for Lagbaja’s dedicated service to the nation and offered condolences to his family, expressing hope they would find strength during this difficult time.

In separate reactions, the Ministers of Defence, Mohammed Badaru and Bello Matawalle, also expressed their grief, describing the passing of Lagbaja as a tremendous loss to the military, his family, and the entire nation.

A statement from the Ministry of Defence, issued by spokesperson Henshaw Ogubike, praised the late Army chief’s professionalism and contributions to Nigeria’s internal security operations. The ministers reflected on their close working relationship with Lagbaja, highlighting his commitment to duty, camaraderie, and the high level of cooperation he demonstrated.

“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence, as our working relationship with him was commendable; he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate,” the statement added.