Mixed reactions have trailed the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu announced on Wednesday morning that Lagbaja passed away at age 56.
The announcement made by Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, came after a series of speculations regarding the COAS’s health status.
It was alleged in some quarters that Lagbaja had died ‘long ago’.
However, Onanuga stated in the statement on Wednesday morning that the COAS passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
Nigerians React
Nigerians, however, have taken to social media to express their thoughts about the passing of the COAS.
Some of the netizens on X mocked the Tinubu administration for denying earlier reports that Lagbaja had died.
However, some expressed their sympathy with the country, the Nigerian Army, the government and the family of the deceased.
See some of the reactions below.
@Anita_Ayoola – Una don KPAI this Gallant Army Nawaooo…RIP D’general… Don’t forget to come and take Tinubu along
@uzoma_1759 – I thought you guys denied it ..but RIP to the dead.
@matyres – Who is next ?
@TheresaTekenah – My deepest sympathies to his family and comrades. His legacy in the military will continue to inspire many. God bless his soul.
@bethelisevil – Nigerians demand to know the true story about his death.
@philipenyinnaya – Anything denied by this government is true.
@Scholarese – Sorry for the loss Nigerians.
@IsaacNyianshima – You guys said he was well. Hmmmm!!! These people.
@Roodie77 – Omg RIP to an iconic man ,Rest in perfect peace Lagbaja Adeleke
@Laykay0808 – May the good Lord comfort the family.
@Alexandaaahh – I asked here but mumu people were attacking me now the truth has surfaced.
@Alexandaaahh – What happened to the main chief of army staff if he’s not de*d?
@hybrawhym – Why you no put date? con make am look like it was yesterday he passed away. anything you people deny always come out to be true. una wehdone.
@OlusanyaIge – RIP to him, but who knows this might be the beginning of a great turnaround for Nigerians. May the Chief of Army Staff be the one who will have the love of Nigerians at heart.
@ObioraVictor19 – So the news was true
@anaga_banner – Lwkm. Nigeria sha!! If they explain Nigeria to you and you understand it,then you are in for a long thing.
@olusegunfranci – Died yesterday? And you have promoted the acting COAS before his death..I believe the journalist that says he died along time ago.
@Olufemit_Adigun – You just officially announced his death after so many days of his passing. Reason for the appointment and elevation of the recent man. Anyways, may his soul find rest if possible.
@IsmailAjao4 – Subuhannallah..inna lillahi wahinna ileyi rojiun. Rest in peace patriot.
@sundayodey7038 – They were just trying to put their boy on top before they tell us hmmm Nigeria is not a real place, a leader for that matter.
@LeopardEastern – Hope it is not a Divine Sign that Tinubu’s govt is about to collapse or uprooted.? This is the first of it’s kind in the history of Nigeria and might not augur well for Tinubu’s govt.
Nwafresh – Once this government denies anything, be rest assured it happened 99%.
