Late Army Chief Gen. Lagbaja laid to rest amid tears

Tears and tributes flowed freely on Friday as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest at the National Cemetery in Abuja.

The solemn burial marked the conclusion of an illustrious military career spanning several decades and two days of funeral rites that began earlier in the week in Lagos.

The ceremony, which lasted over two hours, concluded with the lowering of Lagbaja’s casket into the ground at exactly 4:41 pm.

Draped in the national colors of green and white, his casket arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm in a white funeral wagon following a funeral service held at the National Christian Centre.

The event drew numerous dignitaries, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen.

Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru, and other top government officials and senior military officers, all gathered to pay their final respects.

A Post-Humous Honour

In his eulogy, President Tinubu described the appointment of the late Lagbaja as one of his finest decisions since assuming office as Nigeria’s leader.

“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the post-humous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu said, asking the military not to be demoralised by the demise of the COAS.

“Please, do not let death defeat us and I as commander-in-chief renew my pledge to you today that the country will always support you and your family,” he said.

‘Defeat All Enemies’

FILE: The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, speaks on Channels Television on June 12, 2024
The CDS General Musa said the demise of the COAS will not dampen the military’s resolve to fight insecurity.

He said, “To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for.

“Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside.”

On his part, the acting COAS Oluyede said Lagbaja was instrumental to his career, narrating how he nominated him for a national honour even on a sick bed.

Friday’s burial was the culmination of funeral rites for the late Lagbaja who died after a brief illness in Lagos on Tuesday, November 5th.

Before the late COAS’ interment, there was a service of songs the previous day at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

The Nigerian Air Force airplane carrying Lagbaja’s body arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja – from Lagos – around 12:15 pm on Thursday.

Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968. He was the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his nomination for the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.