Home > Lagbaja
Tag:

Lagbaja

Headlines

BREAKING: Tinubu Confers Post-Humous CFR Honour On Late COAS Lagbaja

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu on Friday conferred a post-homous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

He made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late warrior at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.

The President extoled the virtues of the late warrior, eulogising his contributions to national security.

According to Tinubu, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.

The event had in attendance Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors and top military officials.

Last week, Tinubu announced Lagbaja’s death, saying the late warrior 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. President Tinubu appointed him to the role 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.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

JUST IN: Late Chief of Army Staff Lagbaja‘s Remains Arrive Lagos Airport

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The body of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has arrived at the military wing of Lagos Airport.

The arrival is part of the preparations to transport the remains to Abuja for further arrangements.

As the remains touched down, senior military officers stood in formation to honour the late Army Chief.

A full military parade, organized in his honour, is currently taking place. The parade features 48 soldiers and officers.

Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday, November 5, after battling an illness in Lagos.

Prior to his death, President Bola Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the new acting Chief of Army Staff.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Headlines

Late COAS Lagbaja’s Death: Tinubu Reschedules FEC Meeting, Orders Flag to Fly at Half Mast for 7 Days

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

President Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, November 5, ordered the rescheduling of the Federal Executive Council meeting over the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, the president’s special adviser of information and strategy, the FEC meeting initially scheduled for today, has been postponed in honour of Lagbaja who passed away on Tuesday night.

The president also ordered that all flags be flown at half mast nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.

The presidency announced the passing of Lagbaja on Wednesday. The announcement of his death occurred barely 24 hours after the acting chief of army staff was promoted to Lieutenant General.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Leading Reporters
Headlines

Fake News: Lagbaja not dead, says Army

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Nigerian Army has debunked the rumour flying around on the purported death of General Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff.

The rumour, which has since gone viral, started after a tweet from Jackson Ude, former presidential aide and social media commentator.

“CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF DIES OF CANCER The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48hrs ago from a stage three Cancer, according to a senior Government official.

The death of the Chief of Army staff has been kept secret because of intense lobbying by some Generals who want to take the position. Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, as the 27th Chief of Army Staff,” Ude had tweeted at exactly 12:49pm.

But the Nigerian Army, which has consistently denied reports on the alleged ailment of the General, stamped Ude’s tweet with FAKE NEWS on X.

On Saturday, Onyema Nwachukwu, Army spokesman, dismissed media reports suggesting that there is leadership vacuum following the absence of Lagbaja, saying he is on official leave, and necessary protocols had been put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, to act on his behalf during his absence.

Nwachukwu, a major general, emphasised that Lagbaja’s absence is not affecting the operations of the service.

“There have even been insinuations that there is a leadership vacuum, with officers confused about what to do. Nothing could be further from the truth.”

“To be very clear, the Nigerian Army is a highly structured establishment with well-laid-out procedures and processes for dealing with different circumstances. Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.

“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence. Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.”

The army spokesman said all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course, adding that the appropriate departmental chiefs are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS directives.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail
Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, Leading Reporters
Headlines

JUST IN: Defence HQ Announces Interim Leadership after Army Chief Lagbaja’s Absence

by Folarin Kehinde
written by Folarin Kehinde

The Defence Headquarters has finally broken its silence on the absence of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Nigerian Army, in a statement on Saturday, confirmed that he is on official leave.

The announcement comes amid speculation and concerns about a potential leadership vacuum within the Nigerian Army.

According to Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations, necessary protocols have been put in place to ensure continuity. Major General Abdulsalami Ibrahim, Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), has been appointed to act on behalf of the COAS during his absence.

“Lt. Gen. Lagbaja is on official leave, and the Nigerian Army’s operations remain unaffected,” Nwachukwu said. “The service’s structured establishment and well-laid-out procedures ensure seamless continuity.”

Leading reporters reports that there were speculations about Lagbaja’s absence with some sources suggesting health issues.

However, the force has dismissed that.

Nwachukwu said, “Before proceeding on leave, necessary protocols were put in place for the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), Major General Abdulsalami Bagudu Ibrahim, to act on behalf of the COAS while he was away.

“This is not peculiar to the NA, as there have been instances where unforeseen human frailty kept service chiefs away for about three months, and their Chiefs of Policy and Plans held sway in their absence. Claims of a leadership vacuum in the NA at present are therefore mere speculation, as all routine and scheduled activities of the service are on course.”

Nwachukwu clarified that promotions have not been stalled by Lagbaja’s absence.

He said, “Indeed, in line with its Forecast of Events for 2024, the Nigerian Army recently conducted the Captain-to-Major Practical Promotion Examination in Akure. Subsequently, and in line with extant procedures, the Commander of Training and Doctrine Command, Major General Kevin Aligbe, announced the results after due authorisation by the Chief of Policy and Plans (Army), who currently represents the Chief of Army Staff during his absence on leave and medical check-up abroad. Additionally, the Master Warrant Officer to Army Warrant Officer Promotion Exercise is currently ongoing in Jos.

“This follows a similar exercise held for Warrant Officer to Master Warrant Officer (WO-MWO) in Kaduna. The results of these exercises are expected to be released in the coming days, pending final reconciliation between the respective Corps and the Army Headquarters Department of Personnel Management.”

The force also clarified the insinuation that the COAS’s absence due to his leave has caused undue delays in the release of the WO-MWO promotion exercise results. Nwachukwu clarified that it has never been the practice for the COAS to personally sign postings or promotions for officers and soldiers in the Nigerian Army.

“The appropriate departmental chiefs perform these functions routinely.

These Departmental Chiefs, demonstrating their unwavering commitment, are fully carrying out their responsibilities in line with the COAS Command Philosophy.

“The Army Headquarters, therefore, enjoins the general public to remain confident in the NA and be assured that the service remains on top of the security situation in the country and is ever ready to defend Nigeria against any aggression on its land territory,” he added.

0 comments
0 FacebookTwitterPinterestThreadsBlueskyEmail