The family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, is mourning his untimely passing, with members expressing deep sorrow and regret.
Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, the head of the Lagbaja family, has voiced regret over his decision to help the late officer begin his military career by obtaining the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) form for him.
Reflecting on the loss, he noted he would not have taken that step if he had known the path would lead to his nephew’s early death.
"Everyone who is born must die. We give glory to God. The year I obtained the NDA form for him if I had known that he would die before me, I would not have done so.
“But it is destiny. The death that killed Taoreed Lagbaja ought to take me. I took him as one of my children,” said Pa Lagbaja.
Pa Lagbaja’s deep attachment to his nephew has left him and the family in profound grief, remembering Taoreed’s contributions, such as constructing boreholes in his father’s compound and other parts of their community.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos following an illness.
His death was officially confirmed by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The late general was a respected figure, appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, and known for his dedication to national service, including leading critical security operations like Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
A family member identified as Madam Toyin added to the family’s grief by alleging that Lt. General Lagbaja may have been a victim of diabolical forces due to a longstanding land dispute in his hometown, Ilobu, Osun State.
She pointed to tensions surrounding an initiative by the Nigerian Army in 2023 to construct a hospital in Ilobu, sparking local disputes.
Lt. General Lagbaja was recognized not only for his service but also for his academic accomplishments.
He was an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, known for his strategic insight and unwavering dedication to strengthening Nigeria’s security.
President Bola Tinubu expressed profound sadness over the general’s death, calling him a “dedicated servant of the nation” and extended his condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children, leaving behind a legacy of integrity and commitment to Nigeria’s defence.
The family is deeply pained by this loss, but as Pa Lagbaja concluded, they remain resolute, accepting fate and finding solace in the positive mark Lt. General Lagbaja left behind in both his family and his nation.
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