As Nigerians mourn the demise of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, BENJAMIN SAMSON reflects on the life and time of the tough military officer
Like a thunderbolt, the announcement of the death of the 23rd Chief of Army Staff (COAS ), Lt.-Gen. Toreed Lagbaja, on Tuesday, sent shock waves across the country, especially among the security and intelligence community.
Speculations about his health were rife when he disappeared from public functions about a month ago.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that a Chief of Army died in office. It would be recalled that tragedy struck on May 21, 2021 when a former COAS, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and eleven senior Army officers, died in a plane crash at the Kaduna International Airport. All the crew members in the military Beachcraft 350 aircraft also died.
Similarly, Joseph Akahan, a 30-year-old Army Chief, who was appointed shortly before the outbreak of the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, also died in office. Available records showed that after visiting the frontlines in Nsukka during the civil war, the young military chief returned to his hometown in Gboko for a brief rest. As he headed back to Makurdi, the helicopter carrying him crashed, claiming his life along with two pilots on board.
While the duo died in air mishaps, Lagbaja died following an undisclosed ailment.
…Lagbaja’s demise
Breaking his death through a statement, Special Adviser to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, revealed that Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness at the age of 56. His shocking death brought his 16-month-packed tenure in the saddle as Army Chief to a tragic end.
Although the Nigerian Army, as a mark for respect for the military chief’s privacy, initially denied reports of is indisposition, it was to later admit that the courageous military officer was on medical leave.
General Lagbaja, a gallant infantry officer, had since his appointment as the COAS by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023, left no one in doubt as to his capacity and commitment to defending the constitutional integrity and sovereignty of Nigeria against external and internal threats.
For everyone who knew General Lagbaja, he exemplified courage, dedication and loyalty in the onerous tasks of defending Nigeria and Nigerians against terrorists, bandits and other criminal elements, against all odds.
The Osun-born infantry general was a general that led troops from the front as he travelled to the nooks and crannies of theatres of operations, encouraging and boosting troops’ morale.
The late military chief was convinced about the capacity of his men and brought new energy to the fight against insecurity in the country by inspiring troops deployed to different theatres of operations across the country.
Nearly everyone who encountered General Lagbaja in his official capacity, had the hope that light was at the end of the long dark tunnel of terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other forms of insecurity bedevilling Nigeria.
Profile
Born on 28 February 1968, General Lagbaja was appointed COAS on 19, June 2023, by President Tinubu to succeed Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.
Born in a town called Ilobu of Irepodun in the present day Osun state, Lagbaja spent his early life in Osogbo where he attended the prominent St Charles Grammar School and Local Authority Teachers College.
His distinguished military career began when he was admitted into the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy in the year 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
He was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps. Between 1992 and 1995, Lagbaja was platoon commander of the 93 Battalion. From 1995 to 2001, he was platoon commander of 72 Special Forces Battalion.
In 2001, Lagbaja obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy, and also studied Strategic Studies at the US Army War College at the Master’s level.
He was an instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy from 2001 to 2004, and also at a time, a Grade 2 Staff Officer in charge of peacekeeping at the Army Headquarters Department of Army Training and Operations, and much later as a Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji from 2006 to 2009.
In 2009, he became Deputy Chief of Staff G1 at the Headquarters of 81 Division and subsequently, he became Commanding Officer at 72 Special Forces Battalion Makurdi from 2012 to 2013 and 2014 to 2015.
In 2016, he was named the Chief of Staff at Headquarters 8 Task Force Division, Monguno, and later served as Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Training and Operations, from January to December 2018.
He was a Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos state and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom state.
Before his new appointment as COAS , Lagbaja was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022 and Headquarters 1 Division from August 2022 to June 2023.
Earlier in 2008, he attended the Military Observers Course on Peacekeeping Wing at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry Jaji (February – May 2008) and ECOWAS Standby Force Battalion Command Post Course – Peacekeeping Centre, Bamako, Mali – (June – August 2010).
…Operations
Lagbaja participated in Operation HARMONY IV in Bakassi Peninsula; United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC); Operation ZAKI Internal Security Operation in Benue State; Operation “Lafiya Dole” now (Operation Hadin Kai; Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA – March 2021 – August 2022 – Internal Security Operation in South-east Nigeria (Anambra/Abia/Ebonyi/Enugu and Imo States); and Operation “Forest Sanity” – August 2022 to 2023 – Internal Security Operation in Kaduna/Niger states.
He was married to Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja and had 2 children.
..Successes
Lagbaja’s legacy of exceptional service and loyalty leaves an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) and the national defence security landscape.
He demonstrated exemplary leadership, spearheading the establishment of the Nigerian Army Aviation Wing and playing instrumental roles in multiple security operations across the country.
His contributions to operations such as FOREST SANITATION in Kaduna and Niger states, LAFIYA DOLE, ZAMAN LAFIYA and HADIN KAI in Borno, ZAKI in Benue, and UDOKA in the Southeast, amongst others, reflect his relentless dedication to ensuring a safer and more secure Nigeria.
He also built schools, constructed roads, drilled boreholes among others as part of the non-kinetic approach to ending insecurity through the directorate of civil-military relations.
There is no doubt that Lagbaja’s legacy will continue to inspire future generations of military personnel and Nigerians alike.
…Tributes
In his tributes, Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, described the late Lagbaja as a warrior who fought against terrorism in all theatres of war.
Speaking shortly after the cancellation of the weekly Federal Executive Council meeting, the defence minister said: “It’s really very sad. It’s really tragic. So we are using this opportunity to condole Mr. President over this heavy loss, indeed, his family and the entire Nigeria.
“It’s a great loss for our country. He was a gallant officer, very hard working and had been to all the theatres of war and did commendably well for this country. It’s a very, very, very sad loss. He was indeed a warrior. We pray to Allah to receive his soul.”
Without doubt, Lagbaja successfully fought all battles expected of him as a thorough-bred professional, but, like every mortal, he eventually lost the last battle to death-the ultimate end.
He was certainly, one, who gave his all to his profession and fatherland.
Adieu, the terrorists’ nemesis. May his soul rest in peace.
