Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Olufemi Oluyede on Sunday honoured the memory of former Chief of Army Staff, General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing him as a commander whose devotion to duty and love for his troops remain significant in the Nigerian Army.
CDS Oluyede spoke at an interdenominational memorial service held in honour of the late Army chief at the All Saints’ Military Church (Protestant), Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The event marked one year since Lagbaja’s death on November 5, 2024.
Oluyede, who succeeded Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, said the late officer’s leadership was marked by integrity, empathy and commitment to the welfare of personnel and the unity of the country.
He extended condolences of the Armed Forces to the Lagbaja family and prayed for continued strength for them.
He added that Lagbaja’s legacy would continue to guide the Armed Forces toward professionalism and national service.
Delivering the sermon, acting director of Chaplain Services (Protestant), Lieutenant Colonel Bitrus Nyam, urged officers and soldiers to emulate Lagbaja’s life of dedication and patriotism.
Highlights of the service included special prayers and thanksgiving for the Lagbaja family, as well as moments of reflection in memory of the late Army Chief.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, attended the event alongside former service chiefs, senior officers and members of the Lagbaja family, including his wife, Mariya Lagbaja.
General Lagbaja died on November 5, 2024, at the age of 56. Born on February 28, 1968, he was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Bola Tinubu.
He began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry Corps in 1992.
Lagbaja served in several internal security operations, including Operations Zaki, Lafiya Dole, Udoka and Forest Sanity.
He was an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, where he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
Taoreed Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya and their two children.
