The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olatubosun Oluyede, has joined Nigerians in mourning the passing of the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, whom he praised as a courageous and exemplary military leader.
Oluyede highlighted that Lagbaja’s unwavering dedication to Nigeria will be profoundly missed by the military and honored even in his absence.
Reflecting on the loss, Oluyede stated, “It’s deeply regrettable. The country, under President Bola Tinubu’s leadership, did everything possible to keep him with us today. However, as we know, we all belong to God, and He takes when He wills.”
Expressing his grief, Oluyede noted that the entire Nigerian Army is mourning the passing of their leader. “It’s a very somber moment. The Nigerian Army is in deep sorrow, having lost Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, a leader who gave his all for Nigeria. He was a selfless and passionate figure, leading the Army with courage and unwavering professionalism,” he said.
Oluyede described Lagbaja as a dedicated and thorough military professional, adding, “This is a significant loss for us. We pray that the Almighty grants him eternal rest.”
Calling for a national recognition of Lagbaja’s contributions, he continued, “For a man who dedicated his life to Nigeria, we should celebrate his legacy. I urge Nigerians to honor the remarkable work he achieved.”
Oluyede also expressed gratitude to President Tinubu and First Lady Remi Tinubu, who, along with concerned Nigerians, reached out and remained in touch throughout Lagbaja’s illness. “We thank them for their support, and we pray that that his soul rests in peace,” Oluyede concluded.