Governor of Enugu State, Dr. Peter Mbah, has expressed profound sorrow over the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, whom he hailed as a gallant patriot who dedicated his life to serving the nation.
Governor Mbah characterized Lagbaja’s death as a personal loss for both the state government and its citizens.
“I received with a deep sense of loss the sad news of the passing of the former Chief of the Army Staff, the late Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja. This is a grave loss to not only the Nigerian Army and the entire nation, but also a personal loss to the government and people of Enugu State where he served as the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division, Nigerian Army, from March 2021 to August 2022.
“He was a distinguished officer, who saw it all and deservedly rose to the apex of his chosen career. From the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, to the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), the various Army high commands he superintended, and ultimately as the Chief of the Army Staff, Gen. Lagbaja distinguished himself as a consummate academic, gallant officer, quintessential leader, and patriot.
“It is also worthy of mention that as Chief of the Army Staff, he lent his total support to our administration’s fight against insecurity without which the tremendous successes we have recorded in that regard could not have been possible.
“Therefore, on behalf of the government and good people of Enugu State, I convey our heartfelt condolences to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR; the Nigerian Army and security services, his immediate family, and the government and good people of Osun State and pray God to grant his soul a peaceful repose,” the governor stated.
