The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olatubosun Oluyede, on Wednesday expressed sadness over the death of his predecessor Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Oluyede, speaking with State House correspondents after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, said Lagbaja’s death was highly regrettable.
“I mean the country as a whole under the leadership of President Bola Tinubu, did the very best for him to be alive with us today.
“But as we all know, we all belong to God and He takes when He feels necessary for him to do so. So, it’s on a very sober note that I am talking this moment because the entire Nigeria Army is in a sorrowful mood because we have lost our leader, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja,” said Oluyede.
He said the late COAS gave his all to Nigeria, and was a selfless leader who was passionate about Nigeria and led the Nigeria Army very well.
“He was courageous, he was known to be thorough and a professional to the core. So, it’s a big loss to us. And all we can say at this moment is that we pray that the good Lord will find a place for him to rest.
“I want to enjoin Nigerians to celebrate him for the good work he did,” said Oluyede.
Similarly, Alhaji Muhammad Badaru, Minister of Defence, said the death of Lagbaja was a great loss for the country.
He said Lagbaja was a gallant and hardworking officer, who had been in all the theatres of war, adding that he had done commendably well for the country.
Badaru and Alhaji Bello Matawalle, the Minister of State for Defence, prayed for the repose of the soul of the departed COAS.
Defence Ministry condoles with Tinubu, Army, Lagbaja’s family
The Ministry of Defence on Wednesday condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, and family of late Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) on his passing.
This is contained in a statement in Abuja, by Mr Henshaw Ogubike, Director, Information and Public Relations, Ministry of Defence.
Ogubike quoted the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Mohammed Badaru, Minister of State for Defence, Dr Bello Matawalle and the Permanent Secretary, Dr Ibrahim Kana as expressing rude shock with Lagbaja’s demise.
He added, ”The ministers, the management and entire staff of the ministry commiserate and extend their heartfelt condolences to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu on the transition to eternal glory of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja
“The ministry also commiserates with the Nigerian Army, the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria and the family. His death has been described as a great loss to his family, the Army and the nation at large.
“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the ministry as our working relationship with him was commendable as he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate .
“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed in no small measure to the internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.
“He will be greatly missed by the family, the military and the nation as he served the nation with commitment and dedication. May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord,” the statement read in parts.
Lagbaja was a courageous, loyal, dedicated officer – CDS
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, has expressed sorrow over the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
The Army chief died on Tuesday after a brief illness at the age of 56.
Musa, in a statement by the Director Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, described the late army chief as a courageous, loyal and dedicated officer.
He also conveyed his deepest condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Bola Tinubu, family of the late Lagbaja and all Nigerians over the sad loss.
According to him, Lagbaja was a courageous, hard-working, reliable, loyal, and dedicated service chief whose tireless efforts and unflinching commitment to the security and well-being of the nation were unparalleled.
“Therefore, his passing is a tremendous loss, not only to his family, the Army and the AFN but also to the entire nation and humanity.
“Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja’s legacy of exceptional service and loyalty leaves an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army, the AFN and the national defence security landscape,’’ he said.
The CDS said that Lagbaja demonstrated exemplary leadership, spearheading the establishment of the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing and playing instrumental roles in multiple security operations across the country.
He said that late COAS made tremendous contributions to operations such as Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States, as well as Lafiya Dole, Zaman Lafiya and Hadin Kai in Borno.
Other operations, according to him, include Zaki in Benue and UDOKA in the Southeast, amongst others.
“His contributions to these operations reflect his relentless dedication to ensuring a safer and more secure Nigeria,’’ he added.
Musa prayed for Almighty God to grant strength and comfort to his beloved wife, Mrs Maria Lagbaja and his family during this period of immense grief.
According to him, the military and the nation will deeply feel the void left by Gen. Lagbaja’s invaluable service, especially in these critical times of addressing national security challenges.
He said that Lagbaja’s 16-month tenure as army chief demonstrated his sterling performance, courage and steadfast commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“His enduring dedication and achievements will forever be remembered in the annals of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation at large,’’ he added.