Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, a key leader in the fight against Boko Haram, has passed away, President Bola Tinubu confirmed in a statement.
Announcing the news on X (formerly Twitter), presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga shared President Tinubu’s message, which expressed “heartfelt condolences” to Lagbaja’s family and honored his “significant contributions to the nation.” The statement wished the late General “eternal peace.”
Lagbaja, aged 56, reportedly died on Tuesday night in Lagos after an illness. Appointed as Chief of Army Staff in June 2023 by President Tinubu, he had been absent from public view for nearly two months, with the Nigerian army recently denying rumors of his death.
Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede has now been appointed in an acting capacity to replace Lagbaja. His passing comes at a challenging time for Nigeria, which is still engaged in its long-standing fight against Islamist militants in the northeastern region. Despite a reduction in violent attacks, analysts warn that extremist groups are still active, working to recruit fighters and strengthen their presence around the Lake Chad basin.
During his tenure, Lagbaja prioritized discipline and professionalism within the army, aiming to address longstanding accusations of civilian mistreatment and extrajudicial actions in conflict areas. His leadership marked a period of reform for the Nigerian army as it continues to address insurgent threats.
