Nigeria is once again in mourning following the untimely death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away in Lagos on Tuesday after a brief illness. His passing marks a somber moment for the nation, coming just over a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, and adds to the list of Nigerian military heads who have died while in office. Lagbaja is now the third Chief of Army Staff to have died on duty, highlighting the unique pressures and challenges of military leadership.
Below are the former Chiefs of Army Staff who also passed away while serving Nigeria:
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Joseph Akahan (August 1967)
Joseph Akahan, appointed Chief of Army Staff at age 30, took office during a critical period as Nigeria faced the outbreak of civil war in 1967. After inspecting military activities on the frontlines in Nsukka, Akahan returned to his hometown in Gboko for a short break. On his way back to Makurdi, his helicopter tragically crashed, leading to his death along with two pilots on board.
Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (May 21, 2021)
Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff in January 2021, succeeding Tukur Buratai as part of a broader military leadership change aimed at addressing Nigeria’s pressing security issues. His tenure, however, was cut short just a few months later when he died in a tragic plane crash. The crash occurred amid poor weather conditions as Attahiru and 10 others traveled on an official assignment from Abuja to Kaduna. His death was a significant blow to the military, as he had only just begun implementing strategic changes to tackle security challenges.
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja (November 5, 2024)
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, a respected graduate of the U.S. Army War College, joined the Nigerian Army in 1992 and went on to serve in various capacities, including platoon commander roles in the 93 Battalion and 72 Special Forces Battalion. Throughout his career, he played crucial roles in key internal security operations such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Operation Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Tinubu in June 2023, and his leadership was characterized by a focus on strengthening national security. On Wednesday, Presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga confirmed Lagbaja’s passing due to illness. He has since been succeeded by his fellow Nigerian Defence Academy classmate, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, who assumed the role of Acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday following an announcement that Lagbaja was indisposed.
Source: Punch Newspapers
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