The death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, has thrown his native Ilobu Community in Osun State into deep mourning.
The Olobu of Ilobi Land, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, appealed to the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to allow the community bury the late COAS in the community.
He said it would be a great honour, if the Army would grant the community’s request to bury the deceased in his ancestral home.
The traditional ruler who was seen in a mourning mood in his Palace in Ilobu, directed the National President of Ilobu-Asake Development Union (IDU), Oluremi Salako, to speak on his behalf.
He said that the town was planning its annual “Ilobu 2024 Day” on Saturday, before the sad news of Lagbaja’s death filtered in.
He said that in the last couple of weeks, the town had engaged in prayers for Lagbaja to get well, having learnt of his health challenges.
“We were high in hope and confident about his quick recovery.
“Waking up this morning to the news of his death was a rude shock to the entire community.
The COAS, who was born on February 28, 1968, died on Tuesday night in Lagos.
He was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
He hailed from Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.
