Gov. Ododo Mourns Lagbaja, Expresses Shock Over His Demise

Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo of Kogi has expressed shock over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, describing the incident as ‘a huge loss to the country as a whole’.

Governor Ododo who stated this in a press statement signed by the State Commissioner of Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo in Lokoja on Wednesday said the death of the gallant and brave Army Chief was particularly a tragic loss to the country considering that the fight against insecurity in Nigeria was gathering momentum.

He noted 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 departure of the gallant and brave Army Chief was particularly sad at a time the fight against insecurity in Nigeria had gathered momentum. 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 condoled the President Ahmed Bola Tinubu; the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu; the Military establishment, Government and people of Osun State, and the family of the departed hero, expressing his heartfelt sympathies.

“I wish to extend my 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.”

Governor Ododo however challenged the Nigerian Armed Forces to keep the dream of the departed General alive by ensuring that his aspiration of a secure and safe Nigeria does not die with him and prayed for the repose of his soul.

Lt. Gen Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.

Lagbaja’s last public appearance was on Tuesday, September 10, 2024, when he inaugurated several civil-military cooperation projects in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area of Osun State.

The former Army Boss who was conspicuously absent at the combined passing-out parade of the 71 Regular Course, Army, Navy, and Air Force on September 28, and October 1 Independence Day parade had been out of the country on medical vacation

Our correspondent gathered that the former COAS had gone on admission at a foreign hospital undergoing treatment for an undisclosed health challenge.

Core News recalls that the Army Headquarters (AHQ), through the spokesman, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, responded to reports by an online medium, Saharareporters, saying Lagbaja was on leave and that arrangements were in place to ensure that no vacuum was created in his absence.