CDS Mourns Passing of Army Chief Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, Lauds His Dedication to Nigeria’s Security
By Matthew Eloyi
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Gwabin Musa, has expressed profound sorrow on behalf of the Nigerian Armed Forces over the passing of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who died Tuesday after a brief illness.
In a statement signed by Brigadier General Tukur Gusau, Director of Defence Information, on Wednesday, General Musa extended his condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the family of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, and the entire nation.
General Musa described Lt. Gen. Lagbaja as “courageous, hard-working, reliable, loyal, and dedicated,” emphasising that his “tireless efforts and unflinching commitment to the security and well-being of the nation” were unparalleled.
“His passing is a tremendous loss, not only to his family, the Army, and the Armed Forces, but also to the entire nation and humanity,” he said.
Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, appointed as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army and national security. Among his notable achievements was the establishment of the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing, along with pivotal roles in numerous security operations across the country.
His contributions to operations such as Forest Sanitation in Kaduna and Niger States, Lafiya Dole, Zaman Lafiya, and Hadin Kai in Borno, as well as Zaki in Benue and Udoka in the Southeast, underscored his relentless dedication to Nigeria’s security.
General Musa acknowledged the significant void left by Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s passing, especially during these challenging times for national security. He prayed for strength and comfort for Mrs. Maria Lagbaja and her family as they navigate this period of loss.
Reflecting on Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s 16-month tenure, General Musa praised his “sterling performance, courage, and steadfast commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
He concluded that the late Army Chief’s dedication and achievements would “forever be remembered in the annals of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation at large.”