The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has passed away at the age of 56. Presidential Special Adviser, Bayo Onanuga confirmed the tragic news in a formal statement released Wednesday morning.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, is deeply saddened to announce the loss of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff,” the statement read.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, who dedicated decades of service to Nigeria’s military, is remembered for his commitment and leadership within the Nigerian Army.

Credible News recalls that President Bola Tinubu appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff on October 30.

This was disclosed in a statement by Bayo Onanuga, noting that Oluyede will hold sway as the COAS pending the return of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, who was said to be indisposed and was receiving treatment abroad.

“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, has appointed Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede as the acting Chief of Army Staff, COAS,” the statement read.

READ ALSO : Tinubu appoints Oluyede as acting Chief of Army Staff

“Oluyede will act in the position pending the return of the indisposed substantive Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja,” it noted.

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987. He rose to Major-General in September 2020.

Oluyede has held many commands since his commissioning as an officer. He was Platoon Commander and adjutant at 65 Battalion, Company Commander at 177 Guards Battalion, Staff Officer Guards Brigade, Commandant Amphibious Training School.

Recall that several reports emerged after former presidential aide and social media commentator, Jackson Ude, claimed that that Lagbaja had died of cancer.

“The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has died. Lagbaja died in an undisclosed hospital overseas nearly 48 hours ago from stage three cancer, according to a senior government official,” the post read.

“The death of the Chief of Army Staff has been kept secret due to intense lobbying by some generals who wish to take the position.

“Lagbaja, born on 28 February 1968 in Ilobu, Osun State, was appointed by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023 as the 27th Chief of Army Staff.”

This forced the army authorities to debunk the report on October 20, describing it as fake news.

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