LAGBAJA: List of Nigerian Army Chiefs Who Passed Away While in Office [Photos]

Nigeria is in mourning following the sudden death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness.

This tragic loss, coming less than a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, has deeply impacted the nation’s military leadership.

His death is especially poignant as it continues a heartbreaking trend, marking him as the third Chief of Army Staff to die while in office. Military officials and government leaders have expressed profound grief, recognizing Lt. Gen. Lagbaja as a dedicated officer who served Nigeria with unwavering commitment and integrity.

The Nigerian Army is expected to announce funeral arrangements soon, with condolences pouring in from citizens and public figures alike.

Here are previous Chiefs of Army Staff who passed away while serving:

• Joseph Akahan:

• Appointed just before the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, General Akahan tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash while returning from a visit to the frontlines.
• Ibrahim Attahiru

• (May 21, 2021): Appointed in January 2021, Lt. Gen. Attahiru’s tenure was cut short when he died in a plane crash during an official trip to Kaduna. His passing, along with 10 other military personnel, came after significant efforts to address Nigeria’s growing security concerns.
• Taoreed Lagbaja

• (November 5, 2024): Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, was appointed COAS in June 2023. Before his appointment, he played key roles in major security operations across Nigeria. He passed away in Lagos after a short illness, with his replacement, Olufemi Oluyede, taking over his duties.

These leaders have left a lasting legacy of service to Nigeria, and their untimely deaths continue to shape the nation’s military history.