Nigeria’s army chief dies aged 56


Nigeria's Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja wearing a green military suit with gold army regalia

Nigeria’s Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja was appointed to his position in 2023 (Getty Images)

Nigeria’s army chief General Taoreed Lagbaja has died after a “period of illness” aged 56, President Bola Tinubu has announced.

He died on Tuesday night in Lagos. The exact details of his illness were not shared.

In a statement shared on X by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to Gen Lagbaja’s family.

“President Tinubu wishes Lt General Lagbaja eternal peace and honors his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.

His passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he “played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations”, it said.

Gen Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

More Nigeria stories from the BBC:

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Nigeria's Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja wearing a green military suit with gold army regalia

Nigeria’s Chief of Army General Taoreed Lagbaja was appointed to his position in 2023 (Getty Images)

Nigeria’s army chief General Taoreed Lagbaja has died after a “period of illness” aged 56, President Bola Tinubu has announced.

He died on Tuesday night in Lagos. The exact details of his illness were not shared.

In a statement shared on X by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu expressed his “heartfelt condolences” to Gen Lagbaja’s family.

“President Tinubu wishes Lt General Lagbaja eternal peace and honors his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.

His passing marks a significant loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces, where he “played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations”, it said.

Gen Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

More Nigeria stories from the BBC:

A woman looking at her mobile phone and the graphic BBC News Africa

(Getty Images/BBC)

Go to BBCAfrica.com for more news from the African continent.

Follow us on Twitter @BBCAfricaon Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica

BBC Africa podcasts

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