DEFENCE, ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONDOLE WITH FAMILY OF LATE COAS, OSUN STATE

….. Inform Family of Preperations for National Honour

By: Polycarp Okoye

The Defence and Army Headquarters (DHQ/AHQ) Team, comprising several Maj Gen’s, Officers and Soldiers, lead by the Chief of Accounts and Budgets, DHQ, Major General KI Yusuf, were in Osun State on Tuesday, 12 November, 2024, to commiserate with the family of late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, whose unfortunate demise occurred on 5 November 2024.

On arrival at Osun State, the team headed for the government house, where they were received by the Executive Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke, alongside his Deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi and other members of his cabinet. The team subsequently paid condolence visits in company of the Governor, to His Royal Majesty (HRM), Oba Ashiru Olatoye, the Olobu of Ilobu Kingdom, in his Palace; and family of the late Army Chief.

While delivering the condolence message, Major General KI Yusuf, noted that the team’s mission was in absolute honour to late General Lagbaja; adding that the sad news of his demise, has left very shocking waves on all personnel of the Nigerian Army (NA) and indeed the entire Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN).

He said, “we are also here to convey and express the condolences of the President, Commander – in – Chief of the Armed Forces, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and members of the AFN; particularly, members of the NA, who he led and commanded during his lifetime”

“General Lagbaja, was a pragmatic and gallant officer, who fought and commanded his troops from the front, against terrorism and other criminalities bedeviling Nigeria. He took the welfare of his troops very seriously, and these are well evidenced in the several completed and ongoing projects which he approved across the country.

The NA under his command, has witnessed great transformation”, he added. General Yusuf, further encouraged the family of the deceased, to brace up with the circumstance, in order to pull through the trying period; assuring them of the AFN’s continued support to the family. He conveyed to the Lagbaja Family, President Bola Tinubu’s directive to give the late COAS a state burial at the National Military Cemetary in Abuja.

Governor Ademola Adeleke, lamented the loss of General Lagbaja, saying he was an illustrious son of Osun State, whose exemplary life of simplicity, generosity, patriotism, dedication and sacrifice, will remain indelible in the history books.

He recounted his personal interactions with the late COAS and his immense support towards the realization of an Airport in Osun State among several projects he initiated in the State. He appreciated the AFN for the condolence visits urging for a sustained communication with the family, and the entire state.

In the same vein, the Royal Father, Oba Ashiru Olatoye, in an emotional speech, expressed deep satisfaction with the manner with which the AFN has collaborated with the Ilobun Community and the family of late General Lagbaja.

Some of the major activities during the condolence visits, were, signing of the condolence register, presentation of condolence letters to the Governor, Royal Father as well as to members of Lagbaja family.

Other members of the AFN Condolence Team include the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division NA, Major General OG Onubogu, Major General BA Ilori, Director of Planing AHQ Department of Planning, Major General JO Adeyemo, Commandant NA School of Artillery, and Major General AP Oguntola, Commandant, NA Institute of Technology and Environmental Studies. Others were; Major General JB Olawumi (Rtd) former DG NYSC, and Major General AS Ibikunle (Rtd).

DEFENCE, ARMY HEADQUARTERS CONDOLE WITH FAMILY OF LATE COAS, OSUN STATE

ACTING COAS CONDOLES LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAGBAJA’S FAMILY

By: Our Reporter

The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has paid a condolence visit to Mrs Mariya Lagbaja and other family members of the late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Nigeria’s 23rd Chief of Army Staff who passed on Tuesday 5th November 2024 after a brief illness. Gen Oluyede paid the condolence on Wednesday 6 November 2024, at the Flag Staff House, Niger Barracks Abuja, accompanied by Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.

Paying tribute to the late COAS, Gen Oluyede extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general.

In a succinct message penned in the condolence register opened in honour of the late COAS, the Acting COAS stated, “It is with a huge sense of loss, albeit responsibility that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army commiserate with Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, the children and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (Nigerian Army Medal) the Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation. This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind. We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed. “

It would be recalled that the Late Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was on 19 June 2023 appointed Chief of Army Staff by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and fully assumed command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd COAS on 23 June 2023.

A seasoned Infantry officer, the late General Lagbaja, was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. He distinguished himself as a Special Forces Commander and a military leader per excellence who held several appointments in the course of his exemplary military career. Late General Lagbaja served as General Officer Commanding 82 and 1 Divisions of the Nigerian Army in Enugu and Kaduna, respectively. He also commanded 9 Brigade Ikeja and 2 Brigade Uyo as well as 72 Special Forces Battalion on two separate tours of duty. Prior to his assumption of command of the Nigerian Army as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff, he was the Chief of Operations (Army), where he coordinated all the operational activities of the Nigerian Army. As the then Chief of Army Staff, he worked assiduously to defeat terrorism, banditry, and other security challenges experienced across the nation.

ACTING COAS CONDOLES LATE LIEUTENANT GENERAL LAGBAJA’S FAMILY

COMMANDER 2 BRIGADE HOSTS PARTICIPANTS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE COURSE 33 AND NEW COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AKWA IBOM

… Commend their contributions to National Security

By: David Adejimi

The Commander 2 Brigade Nigerian Army (NA)/ Sector 4 Joint Task Force South South OPERATION DELTA SAFE, Brig Gen Jafaar Ibrahim on Monday, 4 November 2024, hosted two significant visits, welcoming participants of National Defence College (NDC) Course 33 and the newly appointed Commissioner of Police of Akwa Ibom State at the Headquarters 2 Brigade, Mbiokporo Cantonment, Uyo.

Earlier in the day, the Deputy Commandant and Director of Studies NDC Maj Gen LA Fejokwu accompanied by other senior college Directors and members of Directing Staff led participants of NDC Course 33 who are currently undertaking a Geo-Strategic Study Tour of Akwa Ibom State with the theme ”Strengthening Institutions for National Security and Development in Nigeria: Akwa Ibom State in Perspective“ to 2 Brigade Uyo as part of their field study.

The NDC Participants, comprising high-ranking military officers, government officials, and strategic professionals, were received by Brig Gen Ibrahim, who provided a detailed briefing on the brigade’s key operations, accomplishments, and ongoing efforts to secure the region. This visit is integral to the curriculum of NDC Course 33, allowing participants to gain field experience, deepen their understanding of defence strategies, and observe the operational environment firsthand.

Equally, the newly appointed Commissioner of Police (CP), Joseph Eribo, made a separate visit to 2 Brigade to establish rapport and reinforce the partnership between the Nigerian Army and the Nigerian Police Force. This was the Commissioner’s first official visit to the brigade, and he was welcomed by the Commander, who briefed him on the brigade’s contributions to peace and stability in the state. The Commissioner expressed his commitment to closer cooperation with the Nigerian Army, emphasizing the critical role that inter-agency collaboration plays in combating security threats and protecting communities.

Both visits highlighted the shared goals between the military and police, reinforcing a joint commitment to public safety, operational synergy, and knowledge-sharing.

Brig General Ibrahim expressed his appreciation for both delegations, remarking on the value of cooperative efforts in addressing Nigeria’s common security challenges. He commended the NDC Course 33 participants and the Commissioner of Police for their dedication to advancing national security and supporting 2 Brigade’s mission.

Key points of the events included the signing of the Visitors’ book, presentation of souvenirs and group photographs.

COMMANDER 2 BRIGADE HOSTS PARTICIPANTS OF NATIONAL DEFENCE COLLEGE COURSE 33 AND NEW COMMISSIONER OF POLICE AKWA IBOM