Several days after ‘the death’ of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff in an unnamed German Hospital, the President Bola Tinubu-led Federal Government has finally and formally announced the passing on of the gallant Nigerian military officer.
The announcement came after several weeks of speculations on the state of health of the deceased COAS, and days after the president appointed Major General (now Lt. General) Olufemi Oluyede as the new COAS, in acting capacity.
PMParrot reported sources said that Lagbaja had passed away over three weeks ago in Germany but the Federal Government ‘massively’ denied it.
According to the source, “The Federal Government could not have announced the demise of General Lagbaja immediately. There were too many political issues attached to the officer’s passing.
“The announcement is being made now because all the other political and other issues have been successfully sorted out.”
Another unconfirmed source also informed that the remains of the deceased Osun State-born officer arrived in Nigeria on Tuesday.
However, in a statement signed by Bayo Onanuga, presidential spokesman, “President Bola Ahmed 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.”
President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.
How Lagbaja Died
Meanwhile, PMParrot also reported very reliable sources from both the military and family have voluntarily but unofficially released more information about how Nigeria’s brilliant Chief of Army Staff Lagbaja died.
One of the sources who actually spoke from Germany with PMParrot on Wednesday morning after our trending story on how the military officer died said “he officially died on Tuesday.”
When probed further, the source said “may God continue to be with us. You see, General had a domestic accident. He slipped iintothe bathroom , nd he suffered a erious stroke. He went into coma and died clinically some weeks back”.
Yet another source informed PMParrot that the deceased GGeneralwas only confirmed dead on Tuesday after his life support machine was unplugged.
Said the source “the life support machine was removed after clearance was secured from necessary authorities.”
Lagbaja’s Life and Time
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff 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 SSecond Lieutenantin 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.
An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Sstrategic 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.
