Victor EzejaThe Nigerian government has confirmed the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja.
Lagbaja, aged 56, died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness, according to a statement a statement by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to President Bola Tinubu.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelBorn on 28th February 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on 19 June 2023, by President Tinubu.
This comes two weeks after he was rumoured to have died of cancer in an undisclosed hospital abroad.
The Nigerian Army denied it, saying it is “fake news.”
Lagbaja began his military career when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course on 19 September 1992.
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He rose through the ranks to become Lt. General.
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.
According to Onanuga, Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. While honouring his significant contributions to the nation, the Nigerian leader wished the late army chief eternal peace.
Tinubu, on Wednesday, October 30, 2024, appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff, pending the return of Lagbaja.
The president on Tuesday, 5th November, promoted Oluyede to the rank of Lieutenant General.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
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