COAS Taoreed Lagbaja laid to rest in Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja has been laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

The solemn ceremony began with a funeral service at the National Christian Centre before the funeral procession made its way to the cemetery around 3:00 pm. After over two hours of service, at exactly 4:41 pm, Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, was lowered into the ground.

Before the casket was interred, President Bola Tinubu posthumously conferred on General Lagbaja the prestigious Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award. The award was received by his widow, Maria Lagbaja, who was invited to the podium by the president.

In his address to the assembled military personnel, President Tinubu encouraged them to remain strong and resilient, urging them not to let “death defeat” them and to carry forward the legacy of the fallen COAS with pride.

The ceremony was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, House Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, as well as several ministers and state governors, including Abdulrahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State, who chairs the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF). The military delegation was led by Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa and Acting Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede. Traditional rulers and members of the diplomatic corps were also present.

In his remarks, General Musa assured that the military’s commitment to combating insecurity would remain unwavering despite the loss of their leader.

A service of songs was held the previous day, Thursday, November 14, at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground in Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.

Lagbaja passed away on November 5 in Lagos at the age of 56. His remains were flown into Abuja from Lagos the following day aboard a Nigerian Air Force aircraft, arriving at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at 12:15 pm.