Military pays last respect to Lagbaja

The military high command paid their final respects to the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, on November 14, 2024, at the Air Force wing of the Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja.

Diaspora Digital Media earlier gathered that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja passed away on November 5, 2024, following a brief illness.

Some senior military personnel and other dignitaries reportedly paid their final respects in Lagbja’s honor.

This included  Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, the deputy governor of Lagos state.

Shortly after, his body left for Abuja on Thursday morning.

The body had been transported from a state mortuary according to report.

At precisely 9 A. M., arrived at the Nigerian Air Force wing in a cream-colored SUV hearse.

After receiving it, Guards Brigade soldiers staged a military parade on the Air Force wing’s strip.

The body was removed from the hearse and placed on a trolley at 10 A.M.

At precisely 10:32 A.M., six senior military personnel carefully moved it into the C-130H NAF aircraft.

At 11:45 A. M., the 301 heavy airlift team airlifted the body.

Representatives of the Military Wives Association and a few family members of the deceased attended the over two-hour-long ceremony at the Lagos end.

Later, at precisely 12:16 P. M., his remains landed at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja in order to be interred.

Top military officers were present to receive the body.

His body was given a guard of honor upon arrival at the Abuja airport.

The deceased will be laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja today (Friday), according to Maj. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, director of army public relations.

A singing service was organized in Abuja in his honor on Thursday.

Lagbaja is the only individual to lead a battalion twice – Coursemate.

The late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja, was hailed as an exceptional military leader by Maj. Gen. Kelvin Aligbe, Commander of Training and Doctrine Command.

Maj. Gen. Aligbe remarked that it is no surprise that Lagbaja was the only officer to command a battalion twice.

Aligbe addressed on behalf of the 39 Regular Course during the songs of service ceremony.

Aligbe looked back on their journey together.

He recalled that on September 12, 1987, they were commissioned as part of the 39 Regular Course.

He also revealed that 199 officer cadets started their preparation to enter the military durinf the 39 regular course.

The Maj. Gen. went on to say that Lagbaja was a born leader from the start.

He said, “On the 12th of September, 1987, I, then officer cadet, Taoreed Lagbaja, and 199 of us assembled for training as members of the 39 regular corps.

“We trained and were commissioned together into the armed forces.

“Right from time, he led with no doubt.

“He was, first and foremost, an operational commander.

“Little wonder that while commands in the services are sometimes difficult to come by, he had the privilege of being the only person, if my memory serves me right, to have commanded a battalion at two different times.

“He commanded brigades at two different times.

“He was a general commanding at two different times”, he added.

Aligbe exhorted the military community to uphold the principles of commitment and service that Lagbaja valued.

He went on, “He was primed for the operation that he led, through which, even though they say soldiers don’t die, his memories fade away.

“The only way I and my course mates and the other members of the armed forces, officers and soldiers that he left behind can honour his memory truly is to continue what he believed in.

“He believed in the indivisibility of Nigeria.

“He believed in service”, he stated.

Aligbe continued, “He gave everything at the risk of sounding immodest.

“I don’t know if we gave him enough”, he said.

Bilikisu Ibrahim characterizes Lagbaja as a devout guy…

Speaking on behalf of the Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association, Bilikisu Ibrahim characterized Lagbaja as a devout guy whose spirit was based on conviction and commitment.

She said, “To those he served, he was a pillar of protection, an unwavering beacon amidst storms of insanity and threats.

“But beyond our soldiers was a man of faith, a spirit rooted in devotion and conviction.

“In the trials of duty, he held fast to his spirituality, finding in prayers the fortitude that guided him through the darkest battles.

“His beliefs were his anchor, a quiet force that strengthened him as he led a sacrifice for the nation he loved.

“His life was not only a mission of arms but of the heart.

“A journey where faith met duty and courage met compassion.

“As we gather hands held in solace and grief, we recall the gentleness in his smile, the depth of his wisdom, the vision that he led armies and inspired peace”, she added.

Tade Adekunle refers to Lagabaja as an everlasting hero…

The Global President of St Charles Old Boys Association, Tade Adekunle, read a poem penned by a Senior Secondary School Two student.

Afterwards, he referred to Lagbaja as an everlasting hero.

He said, “The immortal hero, a militant heart, now still and cold.

“The nation mourns, both young and old.

“A warrior’s soul, a poet’s might. On the field of faith, you shone so bright.

“With every piece of bread, you shield our motherland.

“Leading brave men with a steadfast hand, both now empty.

“Blade of honour now laid down.

“Its cannon’s cry extinguished, yet legend remains.

“A warrior’s pulse now stilled in time.

“On the altar of freedom, you laid your life, your sacrifice, our beacon of hope”, he stated.

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