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President Tinubu Mourns Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Lagbaja’s Passing at 56
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of Nigeria’s Armed Forces, has expressed deep sorrow over the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff, who passed away in Lagos on Tuesday night at the age of 56 following a period of illness.
Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was a respected figure in Nigeria’s military. His journey in the armed forces began in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps, marking the start of a distinguished career that would see him rise through the ranks due to his dedication, professionalism, and strategic skill.
His impressive track record of service led President Tinubu to appoint him as Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.
Throughout his career, Lt. General Lagbaja exemplified the values of leadership, discipline, and service to his nation.
He served in key operational roles, notably as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion, where he gained valuable experience and honed his leadership abilities.
He also played essential roles in several high-stakes internal security missions that were critical to maintaining peace and order in troubled regions.
In Benue State, he contributed to Operation ZAKI, aimed at addressing local conflicts. In Borno, he was part of Operation Lafiya Dole, a mission designed to combat the insurgency in Nigeria’s northeast.
His leadership in Operation Udoka in Southeast Nigeria and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States further underscored his commitment to preserving Nigeria’s security and unity.
In addition to his field experience, Lt. General Lagbaja was committed to continuous learning and professional development.
He was an alumnus of the highly regarded U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his pursuit of military excellence and leadership.
His education there provided him with advanced insights and strategies that he brought back to benefit the Nigerian Army.
Lt. General Lagbaja leaves behind his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
His passing is a significant loss not only to his family but to the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he was admired and respected by his colleagues and those he commanded.
President Tinubu, offering his heartfelt condolences, praised Lt. General Lagbaja for his decades of dedicated service and for the sacrifices he made for Nigeria.
He extended his sympathies to the family, friends, and colleagues of Lt. General Lagbaja, urging the nation to honor the legacy of a leader who devoted his life to his country’s peace and security.
President Tinubu prays for the departed soul to find eternal peace, recognizing the lasting contributions Lt. General Lagbaja made to Nigeria’s stability and progress.
Nigerian news analyst, Mahmud Jega, has shared his opinion on the recent airstrike carried out by the United States in Nigeria, stating that Nigerians should not blame President Bola Tinubu for the incident.
Jega made this statement during a recent interview, where he said he does not believe many people will hold the Tinubu administration responsible, as Donald Trump had issued threats against Nigeria long before Tinubu’s administration.
“No, I don’t think many people will blame the Tinubu administration for what is happening now because President Donald Trump, when he first made the threats, it was clearly not in coordination with the Tinubu administration or the government of Nigeria,” Jega said.
It has been reported that the United States carried out an airstrike targeting ISIS in the northwest region of Nigeria. The order was reportedly given by former U.S. President Donald Trump.
“Tonight, at my direction as Commander in Chief, the United States launched a powerful and deadly strike against ISIS terrorist elements in northwest Nigeria,” Trump said.
He added, “I have previously warned these terrorists that if they did not stop the slaughtering of Christians, there would be hell to pay, and tonight, there was.”
The Federal Government of Nigeria has officially declared the holiday dates for the festive season.
Thursday, December 25 will be observed as Christmas Day, December 26 as Boxing Day, and Thursday, January 1 as New Year’s Day.
The declaration was made by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Interior, Dr. Magdalene Ajani. He also added that Nigerians should celebrate the holidays in faith and pray for the nation.
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