Late Army Chief, Lagbaja, One of Nigeria’s Finest Military Officers, Says NSA Ribadu

Linus Aleke in Abuja

The National Security Adviser (NSA), Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, yesterday, said described the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, as one of Nigeria’s finest military officers.
Ribadu said this during a condolence visit to the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen Christopher Musa, and the Acting COAS, Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede, at Defence and Army Headquarters, Abuja.
This was as the High Command of the Nigerian Army has announced that the army chief would be buried on Friday at military cemetery in Abuja.
The NSA further described him as an incredible man, loyal, committed, trustworthy, compatriot and a good leader.
“Lt. Gen Lagbaja loved his soldiers, worked for the Armed Forces and Nigeria and also loved the military.
“I am here to condole the Armed Forces of Nigeria, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Acting Chief of Army Staff, and the entire members of our Armed Forces, who have suffered a great loss.
“We lost one of our best because Lagbaja was an incredible man but that is what life is all about,” he noted.
The NSA said Lagbaja had been called to a higher level and the military and other security agencies would continue to pray for his family and those he left behind.
“We will continue to be grateful to God for the life he led, for the service he gave, and his commitment for this country.
“To our President, President Bola Tinubu, it is a very sad loss, a difficult one to feel, but we thank God for his life,” he said.
Ribadu was accompanied by the National Coordinator, National Counter terrorism Centre, Maj Gen Adamu Laka and other top officials from the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).
He had meetings with both the CDS and the Acting COAS and signed condolence registers at both Defence and Army Headquarters.