Death of Nigeria’s Army Chief, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, at 56

President Bola Tinubu has announced the death of Nigeria’s army chief, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, at the age of 56, following a “period of illness.” His passing occurred on Tuesday night in Lagos. The specific nature of his illness has not been disclosed. Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga shared a statement on X, in which President Tinubu conveyed his “heartfelt condolences” to Gen Lagbaja’s family. The statement affirmed, “President Tinubu wishes Lt General Lagbaja eternal peace and honors his significant contributions to the nation.” It further noted that his demise represents a considerable loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces, given his “pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations.” The role of chief of army staff is recognized as the highest-ranking military position within the Nigerian army. Gen Lagbaja assumed this appointment in June 2023, shortly after President Tinubu’s inauguration. Concerns had arisen due to his frequent absences from duty, which sometimes involved receiving treatment abroad for an undisclosed illness, and his prolonged absence from public view. During his brief period in office, Nigeria experienced a rise in attacks by Islamist Boko Haram fighters and an increase in kidnapping incidents, particularly in the northern and central areas of the nation. This period included the mass abduction of over 280 children in Kuriga earlier this year. Previously, during former President Muhammadu Buhari’s campaign against the jihadist insurgency, he commanded a task force operating near Maiduguri, the north-eastern city most severely affected by the Boko Haram insurgency. Amid significant security challenges, Gen Lagbaja emphasized the army’s commitment to non-intervention in the nation’s democracy, particularly following military coups in several neighboring countries. He stated, “We are agents of democracy and have no desire to truncate it.” Additionally, he took part in a United Nations peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003. Prior to his military service, Gen Lagbaja attended a teachers’ college in Osogbo. His military career commenced in 1987 when he joined the Nigerian Defence Academy. He subsequently earned an Msc in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Pennsylvania. Gen Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children. Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent. Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not responsible for the content of external sites. Read about our approach to external linking.