Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff of Nigeria, calling it a significant loss to the country.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, in Ibadan, the state capital, Governor Makinde described Lagbaja as “a patriot and one of the finest military officers the country has produced.” He extended his condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Nigerian Army, and the immediate family of the late Chief of Army Staff. Makinde also sympathized with the government and people of Osun State, Lagbaja’s home state, and prayed to Allah to grant his soul eternal rest.
The announcement of Lagbaja’s death was made public in a statement from Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. The statement confirmed that the Chief of Army Staff passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an illness.
Lagbaja’s death marks the end of a distinguished career in the Nigerian military. His leadership and contributions to the nation’s security forces will be remembered as a vital part of Nigeria’s military history.