Janice R. Andrews
Nigerian President Bola Tinubu has announced the death of Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the country’s army chief, a significant loss to the nation’s military. Lagbaja, who was 56, passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an illness, according to a statement from the president’s office.
Lagbaja, appointed by Tinubu as Chief of Army Staff in June 2023, was instrumental in leading Nigerian forces in the fight against Boko Haram, which has plagued the northeast of the country for over 15 years. His leadership focused on improving discipline and professionalism within the military, earning him respect among his troops and efforts to curb abuses against civilians in conflict zones.
Though Lagbaja had not been seen publicly for almost two months, the Nigerian army had denied reports of his death just two weeks ago. Following his passing, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede was appointed as the acting army chief.
President Tinubu expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to Lagbaja’s family and praised his “significant contributions” to Nigeria’s defense. The army chief’s death comes at a critical time, as Nigeria’s battle with extremism continues in the region, despite a decline in militant attacks in recent years. However, analysts warn that Boko Haram remains a threat, with extremists looking to strengthen their position in the Lake Chad basin.
