TEARS and tributes poured in today as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest in Abuja, marking the end of a distinguished military career that spanned decades.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in the capital, concluding two days of funeral rites that began earlier in the week in Lagos. Lagbaja’s body was interred at precisely 4:41 p.m. after a ceremony that lasted over two hours.
His casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colors, arrived at the cemetery around 3 p.m. following a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Numerous dignitaries attended the ceremony, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, and other senior government and military officials.
A Post-Humous Honor
In his eulogy, President Tinubu described Lagbaja’s appointment as one of his best decisions since taking office. He also conferred a national honor upon the late general.
“As a lasting tribute, I have awarded the late Chief of Army Staff ...humous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (CFR),” Tinubu stated, urging the military not to be disheartened by the loss of their leader.
“Do not let death defeat us. As your commander-in-chief, I renew my pledge that the country will always support you and your families,” he added.
‘Defeat All Enemies’
Chief of Defence Staff General Musa emphasized that the loss of the COAS would not weaken the military’s determination to combat insecurity.
“To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideals General Lagbaja stood for. His sacrifice and service should continue to guide us as we protect this great nation. We will use his passing as motivation to defeat all enemies of the state, whether they are within or outside our borders,” he said.
‘Caring Brother’
Acting COAS Oluyede reflected on Lagbaja’s influence on his career, recounting how Lagbaja nominated him for a national honor even while he was ill.
“He was a caring brother who, on his sick bed, chose to nominate me for a national honor instead of himself, even before the idea of an acting arrangement arose,” Oluyede shared.
Today’s burial marked the conclusion of the funeral rites for Lagbaja, who passed away after a brief illness in Lagos on November 5.
Prior to the burial, a service of songs was held the day before at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
Lagbaja’s body was flown to Abuja from Lagos on a Nigerian Air Force plane, arriving at the Presidential Wing of Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport around 12:15 p.m. on Thursday.
Born on February 28, 1968, he served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months after being appointed by President Tinubu in June 2023.