Body of late COAS, Lagbaja, arrives Lagos ahead of funeral

The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, arrived this morning at the Nigerian Air Force wing of the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos.

The body, which arrived precisely at 9 am on Thursday, November 14, was received with solemn military honors by soldiers of the Guards Brigade, who are preparing to pay their last respects.

Senior military officers stood in formation as the body was brought in, marking the beginning of a series of ceremonies to transport the remains to Abuja for the final burial rites.

The Nigerian Army had previously announced that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja will be laid to rest on Friday, November 15, 2024.

Appointed on June 19, 2023, Lagbaja served under President Bola Tinubu until his sudden passing on November 6, 2024.

President Tinubu has declared that the late COAS will receive a state burial. The service of songs is scheduled to take place on Thursday between 5 pm and 7 pm at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

This will be followed by a funeral service on Friday between 10 am and 12:45 pm at the National Christian Centre in the Central Business District of Abuja.

The final interment will take place at the National Military Cemetery from 2 pm to 6 pm on Friday, where the nation will bid farewell to one of its esteemed military leaders.