Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has expressed his condolences to the Federal Government and the Nigerian Armed Forces over the death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, the late Chief of Army Staff.
Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday, was confirmed dead the following morning by the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Governor Abiodun, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Kayode Akinmade, described Lagbaja as a patriotic and gallant officer who dedicated his life to serving Nigeria.
Abiodun praised the late Army Chief for his outstanding sense of coordination and team spirit, particularly his successful efforts in tackling terrorism and banditry, which led to significant gains in military operations.
“The death of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja is undoubtedly a colossal loss to the Nigerian military and the entire nation,” Abiodun said. “However, we take solace in the fact that he lived a life of great impact, marked by patriotism and courage.”
As a soldier of remarkable courage and resilience, the Governor noted, Lagbaja devoted his best efforts to defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity. “May God Almighty rest his soul and grant his family the strength to bear this irreplaceable loss,” Abiodun added.
The Governor further extended his condolences to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, as well as to the Nigerian Armed Forces, Governor Ademola Adeleke, and the entire Ilobu community in Osun State, which was Lagbaja’s ancestral home.