The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, arrived at Abuja’s Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at precisely 12:16 pm, marking the beginning of his final journey towards interment. A guard of honor received the fallen army chief, as Nigeria’s military elite gathered to pay their respects in a solemn ceremony at the airport’s presidential wing. His casket, escorted down a red carpet, symbolized the nation’s high regard for his service and sacrifice.
Funeral proceedings are scheduled to commence with a Service of Songs on Thursday, followed by his interment at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Friday afternoon. The Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, confirmed the schedule, underscoring the ceremony’s importance to the military and the nation.
President Bola Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to Lt Gen Lagbaja’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, reflecting on the contributions of the late officer. Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months, appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023. His distinguished military career, beginning at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, led to his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.
Throughout his career, Lt Gen Lagbaja commanded key national security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states. He was also an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, holding a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies—a testament to his commitment to excellence and leadership in military service.
Lagbaja leaves behind his wife, Mariya, and their two children. As Nigeria prepares to bid farewell to a dedicated military leader, his legacy of service and sacrifice will continue to inspire those he led and served alongside.
