PUNCH
President Bola Tinubu has arrived at the National Cemetery, Abuja for the interment of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Tinubu took his seat at the venue at 3:10 pm for the funeral rites which began at about 3:15 pm.
Vice President Kashim Shettima is also present.
The rites started with the setting of the casket by the Pall Bearers, Faith Service/Opening Prayer, the Last Post and a Minute’s silence for the departed Army Chief.
After the reading of the funeral oration, the Acting COAS, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede will present the national flag to Lagbaja’s next of kin.
The President, the Defence Minister, Badaru Abubakar; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, will pay their respects to the late Army Chief after which the casket holding his remains will be lowered into his final resting place.
Tinubu will then lead other dignitaries to lay wreaths in Lagbaja’s honour.
The Army Chief died on Tuesday, November 5, 2024, after a period of illness, the Presidency announced the next day.
It said, “President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja was appointed as the COAS on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His distinguished 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.
Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving 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.
