Nigerian Army Chief Taoreed Lagbaja Dies at 56

Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56 after battling an undisclosed illness. His death occurred on Tuesday night in Lagos, with President Bola Tinubu expressing condolences to Lagbaja's family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Appointed by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, Lagbaja had a distinguished military career beginning with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, leading to his commissioning as a Second Lieutenant in 1992. He held significant leadership roles in various internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI and Lafiya Dole. An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies. Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.