The Nigerian Airforce plane NAF 918 carrying the body
of the late COAS landed at the presidential wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe
International Airport Abuja, at around 12:15pm.
The body of the late Chief of Army Staff,
Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived in Abuja where he will be
buried on Friday.
The remains of the late COAS left the Murtala Muhammed
International Airport Lagos around 11am.
The military top brass were on ground to receive the
remains of the late COAS in Abuja, with military band playing to the loudest.
Upon arrival at the Abuja airport, a guard of honor
was accorded to the body of the late COAS and was taken down this red carpet in
full view of Nigeria’s military top brass.
The late COAS body will be interned on Friday at the
national military cemetery Abuja.
The COAS died last week Tuesday, according to the
presidency.
Lagbaja passed away in Lagos after a period of
illness. However, the illness was not disclosed.
During this difficult time, President Bola Tinubu
expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed
Forces.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief
of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the
position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
His military career began when he enrolled in the
Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as
a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th
Regular Course.
Lt. General Lagbaja also served as a platoon commander
in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
He played pivotal roles in numerous 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.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College,
he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication
to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife,
Mariya, and their two children.
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