Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, Chief of Army Staff, was put to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Friday, eliciting strong emotions.
The service brought together relatives, coworkers, and dignitaries to say their final farewell to the late army chief. The bereaved relatives and coworkers battled to hold back their tears.
Mariya, his widow, couldn’t hide the continuous stream of tears that flowed from her eyes despite wearing a nasal mask. The procession began at exactly 3:00 p.m., when Lagbaja’s remains arrived at the cemetery.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Chief of Defence Staff Gen. Christopher Musa, Minister of Defence Mohammed Badaru, and Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun all laid wreaths at the tomb.
Speaking at the event, Musa, the Chief of Defence Staff, assured Nigerians that Lagbaja’s death will motivate the military to beat the country’s adversaries wherever they might be.
Musa noted that the military found solace in the knowledge that the late army leader lived a purposeful life, and urged the troops to honor his memory by subscribing to the ideas he represented. Musa stated, “We will not leave you alone.”
We understand that your loss is tremendous, but please take comfort in knowing that he lived a purposeful life and left a legacy that will last forever.
To my fellow officers and men, let us take this opportunity to recommit to the values that General Labaja stood for. “Let us make certain that his sacrifice and dedication continue to influence our actions as we defend this magnificent nation.
We will use his death to strengthen our resolve to vanquish all enemies of the state, whether they are internal or external. As we lower him today into the earth’s embrace, let us raise our voices in prayer and thanks for a life well lived.”
Musa reflected on Lagbaja’s reign, stating that he took strong and decisive action against terrorists, bandits, and other threats. He stated, “His reign was distinguished by resolute operations against insurgency, banditry, and other dangers to our country’s peace. His initiatives substantially improved the operational readiness and morale of the Nigerian army.
But, despite his professional accomplishments, General Labaja was a man of deep faith, kindness, and humility. “His dedication to protecting our country’s sovereignty and ensuring the safety of its residents was unrelenting.
From his early days as a young officer to his promotion to the esteemed position of Chief of Army Staff, General Lagbaja consistently shown a remarkable combination of intelligence, bravery, and kindness.
He grasped the complexity of modern warfare and the importance of creativity in our methods. “Yet he never lost sight of the human element, the men and women who serve under the flag and the citizens whose liberties they protect. In his remarks, Muhammed Badaru, Minister of Defence, stated that Lagbaja personified the essential ideals of soldiering and had served Nigeria without reservation for over 30 years. Badaru described the late army chief as not just courageous but also an inspiring leader who lived from the front lines, demonstrating his tireless dedication to the nation’s duty.
At the event, Tinubu bestowed the posthumous national honor of Commander of the Federal Republic to Lagbaja. Tinubu stated that the award was intended to recognize Lagbaja’s contributions to the nation. The President referred to Lagbaja as one of his best appointees.
He went on: “Lagabaja was a true soldier, a general and officer who symbolised the best of his profession and whose commitment to the nation he loved was singular and undiluted.”He was more than I had hoped for.
He was one of my top appointments. Lieutenant General Lagbaja exemplified the best qualities of a patriot and soldier. He had unwavering faith in our armed forces’ competence and preparedness to defend and protect us.”
Tinubu hailed Lagbaja as a trusted counselor, saying he was a man of wise action who cared about the country and the guys who worked for him. “He demonstrated uncommon valor in the performance of his duties and the administration of the rank and file because he cared about their well-being and that of their families.” “For me, he was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well,” she said.