Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56.

Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria's Chief of Army Staff, has passed away at the age of 56.

His death occurred on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness, as confirmed by a statement from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu's Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.

Lagbaja was appointed to the position on June 19, 2023, and had a distinguished military career that began with his enrollment in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.

He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1992 and served in various capacities, including as a platoon commander in critical operations across Nigeria.

President Tinubu expressed his condolences to Lagbaja's family and the Nigerian Armed Forces, honoring his significant contributions to the nation.

Following Lagbaja's death, Major Oluf Olatosunuyede has been appointed as the acting Chief of Army Staff.