The Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru, and his counterpart, Bello Matawalle, have condoled with President Bola Tinubu over the demise of Chief Of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja who passed away on Tuesday night.
Describing the death of COAS Lagbaja as tragic, the Minister narrated the demise of the Chief Of Army Staff as a great loss to the nation.
He recounted Lt. General Lagbaja as a gallant officer and a warrior who served in so many theaters and performed credibly at service.
“It’s really very sad. It’s really tragic. So what is this opportunity to condone Mr. . President over this heavy loss, indeed, his family and the entire Nigeria? It’s a great loss for our country.
“He’s a gallant officer, very hardworking, and has been in all the theaters of war, and he has done commendably well for this country. It’s a very, very, very sad loss.
“Well, he was a gallant officer, very, very hardworking. He was indeed a warrior. He had served in so many theaters and has done commendably well. It’s a very sad loss for the country,” he stated.
Badaru prayed for the repose of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja’s soul.
“We pray to Allah Subhanawu wathala to receive his soul,” he added.
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Also, the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, lauded COAS service to the nation.
He described Lt. General Lagbaja as a great loss, Matawalle condoled with his family and the nation.
“We enjoyed working with him, because, as the Honorable Minister said, he’s a gallant officer, and it’s a great loss to this nation.
“And all we can say is ask God to bless the family, and we urged Nigerians that we continue praying for the spirit of Lagbaja.
“We send our condolences to the family of the deceased and Mr. President, because it’s a great loss to the nation,” Matawalle added.
Lt. Genetal Lagbaja, aged 56 passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife Mariya, and their two children.
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