Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, passed away at 56 on November 5, 2024, after a brief illness. Appointed in 2023, he had a distinguished military career, leading key operations like Operation Lafiya Dole. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, passed away at 56 after a brief illness. Appointed in June 2023 by President Bola Tinubu, his distinguished career began in 1987, and he led several key military operations throughout his service. Below are key things to know about the late general:
- Appointment as Army Chief: He was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
- Military Background: Lagbaja enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992.
- Key Roles: He served in various leadership roles, including as platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and 72 Special Forces Battalion.
- Security Operations: Lagbaja played pivotal roles in operations like Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
- Education: He was an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
- Family: He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
- Legacy: President Tinubu expressed condolences, emphasizing Lagbaja’s leadership and contributions to Nigeria’s military and security.
- Earlier Rumors: He had previously been the subject of false death rumors in late October 2024, which were debunked by the Defence Headquarters.
- Historical Context: Lagbaja’s passing follows the death of Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru in 2021, who died in a plane crash while serving as Chief of Army Staff.
