Nigeria’s army chief Taoreed Lagbaja dies in Lagos
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who served as Nigeria’s army chief since June 2023, has passed away at the age of 56.
His death was announced by President Bola Tinubu, who stated that Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos after a “period of illness.”
The specifics of his illness were not disclosed, but it was noted that he had not been seen in public for nearly two months prior to his death, which led to speculation about his health status.
Lagbaja’s tenure as army chief came during a critical time for Nigeria, particularly in the northeastern region where the military has been engaged in a prolonged conflict against Boko Haram and other extremist groups. He was appointed shortly after President Tinubu took office and had previously held various significant positions within the Nigerian military. Notably, he had participated in peacekeeping missions under the United Nations and had a strong educational background, including an MSc in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College.
READ ALSO: Tinubu appoints Olatubosun Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff pending Lagbaja’s recuperation
During his leadership, Lagbaja aimed to enhance discipline and professionalism within the Nigerian army, addressing longstanding issues related to human rights abuses and extrajudicial killings associated with military operations. His commitment to maintaining democratic principles was evident as he emphasized that the military would not interfere with Nigeria’s democratic processes.
The passing of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja is viewed as a substantial loss for both the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation at large. His leadership occurred amidst ongoing security challenges, including rampant violence from armed groups across various regions of Nigeria. Reports indicate that over 11,600 individuals lost their lives due to violence during his time as army chief.
Following his death, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has been appointed as acting army chief by President Tinubu. This transition comes at a pivotal moment when Nigeria continues to grapple with security crises exacerbated by militant activities and kidnappings.
