Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Taoreed Lagbaja has passed away at the age of 56 after a battle with an undisclosed illness.
Lagbaja was appointed COAS by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023. On October 20, the Nigerian Army refuted reports claiming his death, clarifying that he was undergoing medical treatment abroad.
Following this, on October 30, President Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS. Oluyede was subsequently promoted to the rank of lieutenant-general on November 5.
In a statement released on November 6, Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser on information and strategy, confirmed that Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”
According to the statement, Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his distinguished service, he held various leadership roles, including platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played key roles in several national security operations such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Operation Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger.
An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, Lagbaja earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, highlighting his commitment to professional development and excellence in leadership.
He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu extended his condolences to Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, paying tribute to his contributions to the nation.
