I regret obtaining NDA form for Lagbaja, says family head

Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, the head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, is of the view that the gallant soldier would still be alive if he didn’t take up a career in the military.

He therefore expressed regrets obtaining Nigerian Defence Academic (NDA) form for the deceased.

He said he wouldn’t have obtained the form if he knew his life would be cut short.

Other family members who are still dazed by their illustrious son’s death alleged that he was killed diabolically because of a land dispute in his hometown, Ilobu community.

It will be recalled that there was a dispute in Ilobu, headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State in 2023, when delegates of the Nigerian Army planned to cite a hospital in the community.

Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja (younger brother of the late COAS’s father), disclosed that he obtained the NDA form for the late Lieutenant General.

Newstrends reports that Pa Lagbaja spoke with The Nation and was quoted as saying, “Everyone who is born must die. We give glory to God. The year that I obtained NDA form for him, if I had known that he would die before me, I would not have done so. I regret obtaining the form for him. But it is his destiny.

“The death that killed Taoreed Lagbaja ought to take me. I took him as one of my children.  We are greatly bereaved, we are sad. He constructed a borehole in his father’s compound and other places in the community.

“We can never forget him. Hs death is shocking to us. I have accepted the fate, all the promises he made to me have hit a brickwall. He always gave us hope in the family. Despite the sorrow, I give thanks to God.”

Another family member who identified herself simply as Madam Toyin, alleged that Lagbaja was killed diabolically because of a land dispute in the community.

Lt. General Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos following an illness, as announced by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

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President Tinubu expressed profound sadness over the loss of a “dedicated servant of the nation” whose military career spanned over three decades.

Lt. General Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023.

His service history includes numerous leadership roles in critical security operations such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

A distinguished alumnus of the U.S. Army War College with a Master’s in Strategic Studies, Lt. General Lagbaja was recognized for his strategic acumen and commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s security. He is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

President Tinubu offered his condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, showing Lt. General Lagbaja’s legacy of service and integrity.

Meanwhile, Kogi State governor, Ahmed  Ododo, yesterday expressed shock over the death of Lagbaja.

The governor described his death as “a huge loss to the country as a whole.”

A statement by Kogi State Information and Communications Commissioner, Kingsley Fanwo said: “The Governor of Kogi State, His Excellency Alh Ahmed Usman Ododo has expressed shock over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, calling his demise ‘a huge loss to the country as a whole’.

“Governor Ododo said the departure of the gallant and brave Army Chief was particularly sad at a time the fight against insecurity in Nigeria had gathered momentum, noting that the late Gen. Lagbaja was a ‘fearless General, an indomitable fighter, a tactical genius and an uncompromising warrior who was determined to stamp out terrorism and banditry from Nigeria’.

“The Governor extends his heartfelt sympathies to the President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency Sen Ahmed Bola Tinubu, GCFR; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, the Military establishment, the government and people of Osun State and the family of the departed hero.

“He called on the Nigerian Armed Forces to ensure that his dream of a secure and safe Nigeria does not die with him and prayed for the repose of his soul.”

Also paying tributes to the late COAS, a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, described Lagbaja as a strategic commander whose “leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the Nigerian Army into the formidable institution it is today.”

He said late General Lagbaja was a “true embodiment of discipline and dedication,” whose passing had left a void in the Nigerian Army and the country as a whole.

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General Buratai said this in a statement yesterday.

The statement reads: “I am deeply saddened by the loss of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, a true embodiment of discipline and dedication. His passing leaves a void in the Nigerian Army and the nation at large.

“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR, General Lagbaja’s beloved wife, Mrs. Mariyah Abiodun Lagbaja, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, and the entire Nigerian Army. May Allah forgive his shortcomings and grant him eternal rest.

“During my time as COAS, I found him worthy of command where he was appointed Commander 9 Brigade in Ikeja and later Commander 2 Brigade in Uyo. The 2 Brigade that I also commanded. Upon his promotion to the rank of Major General, I posted him to Army Headquarters as the Director Campaign Plan in 2020. The nation has lost a strategic commander.

“General Lagbaja’s leadership and vision have been instrumental in shaping the Nigerian Army into the formidable institution it is today. His legacy will live on through the countless lives he touched and the nation he served with great zeal and commitment.

“In this difficult time, I pray that General Lagbaja’s family, friends, and colleagues find solace in the memories of his remarkable life and service. May his dedication to Nigeria inspire future generations to follow in his footsteps.

“Rest in peace, General Lagbaja. Your service to our great nation will never be forgotten.”

The Chairman of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited (TSSNL), High Chief Government Ekpemupolo a.k.a Tompolo has condoled with President Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army over the death of Lagbaja.

Tompolo, in a signed statement made available to reporters yesterday, also commiserated with the bereaved family.

He described his demise as “sad,” adding that he would be sorely “missed”.

The former freedom fighter emphasised the contributions of the late Army Chief to Nigeria’s security and in particular, the protection of critical national assets in the Niger Delta region.

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Parts of the statement read: “We are indeed touched in this sad story of the demise of our beloved General, who contributed so much to the security of the country and external aggressions.

“His support and co-operation in the security of oil and gas assets in the Niger Delta region is known to industry players and so many persons. We miss him.

“May the good Lord give President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Nigerian Military, the Nigerian Army and the family the strength and fortitude to bear the loss”.

Speaking in the same vein, the lawmaker representing Eket/ONNA/Esit-Eket/Ibeno in the House of Representatives, Okpolupm Etteh, condoled with the Nigerian Army and the family of the deceased.

Etteh, the Deputy Chairman of the House Committee on University Education, in a solemn message yesterday, noted that the late COAS’s leadership and patriotism set a high standard within the Nigerian Army and contributed significantly to advancing the military’s mission of national defense and peace.

The lawmaker who is also a member of the House Committee on Army, expressed deep sympathy for the bereaved family, friends, and colleagues of the late Army Chief, acknowledging the profound loss his passing has brought to the entire nation.

He prayed for the peaceful repose of the late general’s soul and for God to grant strength to his family during this difficult time.

“Lt. General Lagbaja, remembered for his dedicated service to Nigeria, leaves behind a legacy of professionalism, bravery, and unwavering commitment to the nation’s security,” he said.

I regret obtaining NDA form for Lagbaja, says family head