Egbetokun eulogises Lagbaja, as IGP, Defence Ministers, service chiefs visit late COAS’ family
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
…the late COAS played in fighting insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, the IGP noted that Gen. Lagbaja’s death is a great loss to our dear country and has surely created a vacuum, said IGP Egbetokun.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, along with Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, Minister of State for Defence, Hon. Mohammad Bello Matawalle, and the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, and other service chiefs, paid a condolence visit to the widow of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoheed Lagbaja, Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, at his official residence in Abuja.
The IGP described the late COAS as a great man, “who dedicated his life and wealth of experience to defending our nation’s security space.”
Aside the ministers and service chiefs, other senior officers from the Defence Headquarters were part of the delegation that was mainly of the Armed Forces and the security community, according to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP. Olumuyiwa Adejobi, sent to The DEFENDER on Thursday.
“While reiterating the significant role the late COAS played in fighting insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, the IGP noted that Gen. Lagbaja’s death is a great loss to our dear country and has surely created a vacuum.
“The IGP, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, again expressed condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, family and friends of the late COAS, and prayed that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss,” said the statement by Olumuyiwa Adejobi, nipr, mipra, fCAI, the Force Public Relations Officer, dated Thursday November 7, 2024.
Earlier on Thursday before the police and defence chiefs’ condolence visit, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, in a statement from his Media Team titled “SULTAN OF SOKOTO DEEPLY TOUCHED BY PASSING OF LT. GEN. TAOREED LAGBAJA, NIGERIA’S CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF”, had extended his heartfelt condolences to the Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, the Nigerian Army and family of the deceased over what he described as irreparable loss.
“In this difficult time of losing a very important military figure in world’s most populous black country, the Sultan, though saddened by General Lagbaja’s demise, took his consolation in the fact that he lived a life full of commitment to building a robust national Army as a fine officer of indisputable integrity, good character and, above all, lived and let others live.
According Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar, a retired Army Brigadier General, “I have always had profound respect and admiration for the leadership and dedication of Lagbaja from his past notably as General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Enugu through his days as GOC 1 Division Kaduna and as the Chief of Army a Staff building a formidable military architecture for our nation’s security.”
The Co-President of World Religions for Peace New York added that General Lagbaja’s unwavering commitment to duty was an inspiration to countless individuals, and touched on how his loss is felt and will continue to be felt throughout the entire country and the armed forces community, in particular.
To the nation, the Nigerian Armed Forces and the family, especially, the Sultan was direct, saying, “Please know that our thoughts and prayers are with you, your loved ones, and the entire family.
“General Lagbaja’s sweet memory is one that cannot be wished away in a hurry especially considering his humanity and kindness despite being a staunch professional yet kind fine officer.”
