Remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, have arrived in Abuja, where his funeral is scheduled for Friday.
Gatekeepers News reports that a Nigerian Airforce plane, identified by registration number NAF 918, landed at the presidential wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja at approximately 12:15 PM on Thursday, after departing from Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos around 11 AM.
Military officials were present to receive his remains, which were honoured with a military band performance. Upon arrival, a guard of honour was performed, and the body was escorted down a red carpet in plain view of high-ranking military personnel.
Lieutenant General Lagbaja, who passed away last Tuesday following a period of undisclosed illness, will be interred at the national military cemetery in Abuja. President Bola Tinubu extended his condolences to both the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this time of mourning.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months after his appointment by President Tinubu in June 2023. His military career began in 1987 when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992, as part of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his career, Lt. General Lagbaja held several key positions, including platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He contributed significantly to various 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.
His dedication to military leadership and professional development was further exemplified by his status as an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies. Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
