The Nigerian Airforce (NAF) Wing of Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA) in Lagos has airlifted the remains of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, en route to Abuja.
At about 9:00 am, soldiers of the Guards Brigade solemnly received the body, preparing to pay their final respects to the fallen military leader.
The late COAS body will be interned on Friday at the national military cemetery in Abuja.
Chronicle NG reported that Lagbaja’s death was announced last week by President Bola Tinubu, who said the late COAS passed away in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
The unfortunate passing of Lt. Gen. Lagbaja makes him the second Chief of Army Staff to die in office in the last three years since Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died just months into his tenure in 2021.
