Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, has passed away at the age of 56 following a prolonged illness.
His death marks the second time in less than four years that a Nigerian Army Chief has died while in office, following the tragic loss of General Ibrahim Attahiru in a military air crash in 2021, just four months into his tenure.
Earlier in October, unconfirmed reports claimed Lagbaja had passed away in a hospital abroad, but the Nigerian Defence Headquarters dismissed these rumors, stating he was on annual leave.
After his absence continued, President Bola Tinubu appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as Acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30.
In a statement through his spokesperson, President Tinubu extended his condolences to the family of the late Army Chief and to the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring his dedication and service to the nation.
Report by Safiya Muhammad
