Tinubu approves state burial for Late Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja

A delegation from the Nigerian Army, led by Major General Kamal Yusuf, announced on Tuesday that President Bola Tinubu has ordered a state burial for the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.

This announcement was made during a condolence visit to the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, at his palace in Osun State.

Reflecting on their time as classmates at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Major General Yusuf shared memories of how he and Lagbaja traveled by train from Osogbo to Kaduna to begin their military careers.

“Lagbaja was a gallant and pragmatic officer, a true combatant, which is why President Tinubu trusted him with the role of Chief of Army Staff,” Yusuf remarked.

During the visit, Yusuf informed Oba Olaniyan that Lt. Gen. Lagbaja would be laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, a place designated to honor Nigeria’s national heroes. “Our visit here is to express our condolences and inform you of the burial plans. President Tinubu has directed that Lieutenant General Lagbaja be given a state burial,” Yusuf said, noting that arrangements are in place for family members who wish to attend.

He also delivered a condolence letter from the Nigerian Army, expressing hope that such tragic losses would not recur. Yusuf praised Lagbaja’s dedication to duty, which led to steady promotions and ultimately his appointment as Chief of Army Staff.

Earlier, the Army delegation also visited Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the Osun Government Secretariat in Abere. Governor Adeleke expressed gratitude for Tinubu’s decision to honor Lagbaja with a state burial, describing him as “a bright star of Osun and Nigeria dimmed too early.”

In a statement from his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Governor Adeleke thanked President Tinubu for approving the state burial and acknowledged the Army’s commitment to completing community projects that Lagbaja initiated in Ilobu, Ifon, and Erin Osun. “We will continue to support these efforts,” Adeleke affirmed.