By Abigail Philip David
Nigeria is in mourning following the unexpected death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness. His death, which comes less than a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, is a tragic blow to the nation’s military leadership.
Lagbaja’s passing marks the third time in Nigerian history that a Chief of Army Staff has died while in office, adding to a somber list of military leaders lost in service.
**Here are the former COAS who died in office:**
**Joseph Akahan (August 1967)**
Joseph Akahan, at just 30 years old, was appointed as Army Chief shortly before the Nigerian Civil War broke out in 1967. After visiting the frontlines in Nsukka, he returned to his hometown in Gboko for a brief rest. On his way back to Makurdi, the helicopter carrying him tragically crashed, resulting in his death along with the two pilots onboard.
**Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru (May 21, 2021)**
Ibrahim Attahiru, who was appointed as COAS in January 2021 to replace Tukur Buratai, served just a few months before his untimely death. His appointment came amidst public demands for a leadership change due to worsening security issues. Tragically, Attahiru’s plane crashed during an official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, due to severe weather conditions. He and 10 members of his entourage lost their lives in the crash.
**Taoreed Lagbaja (November 5, 2024)**
Lagbaja, a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1992. Prior to his appointment as COAS on June 19, 2023, he served in various critical roles, including platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played key roles in several internal security operations, such as Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States. A statement from Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Lagbaja passed away in Lagos after a brief illness.
Following his death, Lagbaja has been succeeded by his classmate from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Olufemi Oluyede. Oluyede was appointed by the acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday, as Lagbaja had been indisposed for several weeks before his passing.
