The Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Anambra State Command, Comdt Maku Olatunde, Wednesday, commiserated with the Nigerian Army over the death of the immediate Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Taoreed Lagbaja.
Olatunde disclosed this when he paid a condolence visit to Col Adamu Kabir Muhammad, the Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Nigerian Army, Onitsha.
Olatunde described the deceased as a gallant officer who dedicated his life and wealth of experience to the defence of the nation’s sovereignty.
“The late COAS would be missed for his accomplishments and remarkable service to the fight against insurgency and terrorism in the country,” the commandant said.
He urged the Nigerian Army and the family of the deceased to take solace because the deceased lived a life worthy of emulation “as a brilliant strategist, deep thinker and a gallant officer”.
Responding, Col Muhammad thanked the commandant and other service commanders of the corps for taking the time to share in their sorrow.
The late Lagbaja, born on February 28, 1968, served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.
He enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, and was commissioned on September 19, 1992 as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
He served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He also played key roles in fighting insurgency, including in Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
He attended the U.S. Army War College, where earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.