Outpouring of Emotions as Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, Passes Away
Naijawebinfo reports that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced the death of Lt. General Lagbaja on Wednesday morning, citing a period of illness as the cause of his demise.
The announcement came after a series of speculations about the Chief of Army Staff’s health status, with some quarters claiming that Lagbaja had passed away earlier.
However, according to a statement released by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos at the age of 56.
Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968, and began his distinguished military career in 1987 when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps in 1992.
Throughout his service, Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
Nigerians React
Nigerians have taken to social media to express their thoughts about the passing of the COAS, with some expressing their sympathy and others questioning the timing of the announcement.
Some netizens mocked the Tinubu administration for denying earlier reports of Lagbaja’s death, while others expressed their condolences to the country, the Nigerian Army, the government, and the family of the deceased.
Here are some of the reactions:
@Anita_Ayoola – Rest in peace, General. Don’t forget to take Tinubu along.
@uzoma_1759 – I thought you guys denied it, but RIP to the dead.
@TheresaTekenah – My deepest sympathies to his family and comrades. His legacy in the military will continue to inspire many. God bless his soul.
@Scholarese – Sorry for the loss, Nigerians.
@IsaacNyianshima – You guys said he was well, hmmmm! These people.
@Roodie77 – RIP to an iconic man, Rest in perfect peace Lagbaja Adeleke.
@Laykay0808 – May the good Lord comfort the family.
@OlusanyaIge – RIP to him, but who knows this might be the beginning of a great turnaround for Nigerians. May the Chief of Army Staff be the one who will have the love of Nigerians at heart.
@ObioraVictor19 – So the news was true.
@olusegunfranci – Died yesterday? And you have promoted the acting COAS before his death? I believe the journalist who says he died a long time ago.
@IsmailAjao4 – Subuhannallah…inna lillahi wahinna ileyi rojiun. Rest in peace, patriot.
@LeopardEastern – Hope it’s not a Divine Sign that Tinubu’s govt is about to collapse or uprooted? This is the first of its kind in the history of Nigeria and might not augur well for Tinubu’s govt.
