Finally, like all humans, the remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, (COAS) Lt-General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja were committed to Mother Earth on Friday. It was, indeed, a glorious exit witnessed by the highest political office holders in the country, including President Bola Tinubu and the top echelon of the military and security agencies.

In death, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja was accorded the highest respect in the best of the military traditions. The event was witnessed by President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima; Senate President Godswill Akpabion and Tajudeen Abass, Speaker of the House of Representatives as well as the Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun and many other dignitaries.

He was interred at the National Cemetery after several speeches and military salutes, in Abuja. To bid him farewell. This was preceded by a funeral service at the National Christian Centre witnessed by First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu, the Chief of Defence Staff, and several others.

Eight horses led the black hearse and a white funeral limousine that brought his casket wrapped in the national flag before a bus conveying his wife, children, and three ladies to the cemetery.

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu took his seat at the venue at 3:10 pm for the funeral rites which began at about 3:15 pm. Vice President Kashim Shettima was also present at the burial ceremony.

The funeral rites started with the setting of the casket by the Pall Bearers, Faith Service/Opening Prayer, the Last Post, and a Minute’s silence for the departed Army Chief.

After the reading of the funeral oration, the Acting COAS, Lt-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede presented the national flag to the late Lagbaja’s next of kin.

The President, the defence minister, Badaru Abubakar; and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, paid their respects to the late Army Chief after which the casket holding his remains was lowered into his final resting place.

President Tinubu who was the Guest of Honour at the ceremony hailed General Lagbaja as “a soldier’s soldier” and a patriot who embodied the highest ideals of military service.

The President described Lagbaja’s commitment to Nigeria as “singular and undiluted,” praising his dedication, intellect, and selflessness in serving the nation.

“Lieutenant General Lagbaja was a trusted advisor whose formidable intellect and breadth of knowledge served this nation well. He cared more for his country and the soldiers under his command than for himself,” Tinubu stated.

President Tinubu lauded Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja as “one of my best appointments,” highlighting the exceptional calibre of the late Chief of Army Staff.

“As President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, I worked closely with him, and he was more than I could have hoped for. He embodied the finest ideals of a patriot and a soldier,” Tinubu said.

“His tenure, though brief, marked a transformative period in Nigeria’s fight against insecurity,” Tinubu noted, adding that Lagbaja’s advocacy for the payment of outstanding benefits to families of deceased soldiers reflected his deep compassion and commitment to his colleagues.

The President called on the armed forces to honour Lagbaja’s memory by pressing on with their mission to defend the nation, stating,

“To you, the gallant officers, please, do not let death defeat us, lead your herds in pride, in memory of your army chief, at the moment, he would have told you to honor him by pressing on gallantly with the unfinished business and further fight and struggle along – it is also left to the rest of us to carry on until the great job of securing and protecting this nation is done.”

President Tinubu awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) honour to the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja. The CFR is Nigeria’s third highest honour, below the GCFR and GCON.

President Tinubu disclosed this at the burial ceremony of the late army chief. The deceased’s wife, Mariya, received the award on behalf of her late husband.

The former army chief died in Lagos on 5 November after a brief illness. His body was airlifted to Abuja on Thursday for funeral and burial services.

The statement said: “President Bola Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56. “He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.”

Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja was appointed as the COAS on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu. His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.