Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, other Chiefs of Army Staff who died in office

In a period of solemnity, Nigeria is grappling with the sudden loss of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away in Lagos on Tuesday after a brief illness.

His death comes less than a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant setback for Nigeria’s military leadership.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja’s passing marks the third time a sitting Chief of Army Staff has died while in office, adding a tragic chapter to the nation’s history of military losses.

His predecessor, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, now steps in to lead the armed forces through this difficult transition.

Previous Chief of Army Staff who died while in office;

Joseph Akahan (August 1967)

Joseph Akahan was appointed Army Chief at 30, just before the Nigerian Civil War.

During a frontline visit to Nsukka, he returned briefly to Gboko before heading back to Makurdi.

Unfortunately, his journey was cut short when the helicopter he was traveling in crashed, claiming his life and those of two pilots.

Lt. Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim (May 21, 2021)

Lt. Gen. Attahiru was appointed in January 2021 to replace Tukur Buratai amid growing security concerns.

Just months into his role, Attahiru’s official plane, en route from Abuja to Kaduna, crashed due to severe weather, killing him and ten members of his entourage.

Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja

A graduate of the U.S. Army War College, Lagbaja joined the Nigerian Army in 1992 and rose through the ranks with distinguished service in internal security operations across Nigeria.

His notable involvements included missions in Borno State under Operation Lafiya Dole, Benue State with Operation ZAKI, and anti-banditry campaigns like Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states.

Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Lagbaja passed away after being hospitalized for several weeks.

He has since been succeeded by Olufemi Oluyede, his classmate from the Nigerian Defence Academy, who was appointed last Wednesday following Lagbaja’s prolonged indisposition.

As the nation mourns, it reflects on the sacrifices of its military leaders who have paid the ultimate price in service to Nigeria.