Lagbaja mourns as Ex-Army Chief, Maj-Gen Alli, Dies

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Nigerian Army Headquarters, weekend, announced the passing of former Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Chris Alli (rtd).
Alli was army chief between 1993 and 1994, and was at a time the military administrator of Plateau State.

He held sway as the helmsman of the Nigerian Army and the 9th Chief of Army Staff  in November 1993, until his retirement from active service in August 1994.
A statement by Army Spokesman, Brig Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, said the former army chief  died after a brief illness in the early hours of yesterday, November 19, 2023 at the Military Hospital, Lagos.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Nigerian Army (NA), on the passing of the deceased.

“The former Army Chief succumbed to a brief illness in the early hours of today, Sunday 19 November, 2023 at the Military Hospital, Lagos,” he said in the statement.
The statement stated that the late Alli was a revered senior officer, who served the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time.

“His commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently, as he rose through the ranks to become the Director, Military Intelligence (DMI), amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his military career as the 9th COAS in November 1993, until his meritorious retirement from active service in August 1994,” it stated.

Born on December 25, 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. Gen Alli’s sojourn in the Nigerian Army began on October 20, 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course.

He served in various capacities, cutting across staff, instructional and command.He was at a time, the Military Administrator of Plateau State.

“The COAS Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time,” it said.