Ilobu: The Ilobu Community, the town of the late Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja, has suspended its annual Celebration of Ilobu Community Day. General Lagbaja was born in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government in Osun State, Southwest Nigeria, and the suspension of the occasion serves as a mark of respect to the deceased.
According to Voice of Nigeria, the National President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU), Olufemi Salako, expressed shock over the death of General Lagbaja. The late Chief of Army Staff was set to lead a fundraising effort of N200 million for developmental projects in the community alongside other distinguished sons of Ilobu, such as former House of Representatives Deputy Speaker Lasun Yusuf. Salako lamented the loss, stating that General Lagbaja’s demise was devastating to the community, noting that “he died when his service and leadership are much needed for the development of our community, Osun State, and Nigeria at large.”
Earlier in the day, President Tinu
bu conveyed his heartfelt condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Similarly, Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke mourned the passing of Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, describing the event as “a huge misfortune.” In a statement, Governor Adeleke expressed condolences to President Bola Tinubu, the Lagbaja family of the Ilobu community, and the people of Osun State, noting the untimely death of the Army Chief. Governor Adeleke praised Lagbaja as a hardworking officer, dedicated soldier, and exemplary traditional army officer with an ambitious vision for modernizing and integrating the Nigerian Army.
Governor Adeleke remarked, “A huge misfortune has befallen the people of Osun State, the Nigerian Army, and the great Lagbaja family of Ilobu. We have lost a rare breed, a gentleman, and a true patriot to the cold hand of death.” He noted that the late General held a significant vision for operational reforms in the Nigerian Army, initiating root-and-branch reforms for the mil
itary, enforcing professionalism, and fiercely confronting terrorists and bandits during his short tenure. Recalling his last encounter with the deceased, Adeleke highlighted Lagbaja’s hopes and aspirations for a better Nigeria, with the military as a stabilizing and unifying force in the federation.
“In the late General Lagbaja, we had a great military leader with the poise, confidence, and firmness to realize the vision of a new Nigerian Army,” Governor Adeleke continued. “Unfortunately, the end came suddenly, and we surrender to the will of the Almighty Creator. I commiserate with the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the men and women of the Nigerian Armed Forces, my people of Ilobu, and the great Lagbaja family. We mourn together on this sad occasion.” He extended condolences on behalf of the people and Government of Osun State to Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja and the two children of the deceased.
In a related development, the Prayer and Support Group for the Armed Forces and Security Agencies, le
d by Mary Fatile, issued a condolence message describing late General Taoreed Lagbaja as a remarkable leader who left an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army and the military in general. Mrs. Fatile stated, “every heart goes out to the family, friends, and the entire Nigerian Army during this difficult time,” and the group prayed for the repose of his soul and that his legacy continues to inspire and motivate the Nigerian Army.
General Lagbaja’s early years were spent in Osogbo, where he began his primary education and attended St Charles Grammar School for his secondary education. He proceeded to the Local Authority Teachers College. In 1987, he was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a 39th Regular Course member. Abiodun Lagbaja was commissioned as a second lieutenant on 19 September 1992 into the Nigerian Infantry Corps, serving as platoon commander of the 93 Battalion from 1992 to 1995, and later the 72 Special Forces Battalion from 1995 to 2001.
It is notable that two previous Nigerian Army Ch
iefs have died in active service. General Joseph Akahan, appointed shortly before the Nigerian Civil War in 1967, died in a helicopter crash after visiting the frontline in Nsukka. General Attahiru Ibrahim, a former Chief of Army Staff, died on May 21, 2021, in a plane crash while traveling for an official visit to Kaduna.