Taoreed Lagbaja (1968 – 2024) – The Nation Newspaper
- He brought professionalism and compassion to bear in his calling
His appointment as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) in June 2023 had promised a reinvigorated war against agents of insecurity, especially Islamic terrorists, murderous separatists, bandits and kidnappers. He visibly made efforts to deal with the country’s troubling security challenges and had achieved some successes, including dispatching an impressive number of notorious bandits in the north.
Lt. Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja’s death on November 5, after about 16 months in office, has serious implications for the efforts to tackle insecurity in the country. He was 56.
The immediate challenge facing the army following his death is to ensure that its fighters in conflict zones remain focused on their task. As army boss, he had made frequent visits to conflict zones to boost the morale of frontline troops. He also paid particular attention to the welfare of the troops, and emphasised discipline and professionalism.
Under him, the army made a significant move to acquire attack helicopters to strengthen its potency. In June, two Bell UH-1H helicopters were reported to have arrived in the country, and 10 more were being expected. He also introduced the Smart Soldier Initiative, which involves the use of high technology to enhance the army’s operations against agents of insecurity and help to protect frontline troops. This was aimed at further modernising the army.
Also, during his tenure, the army intensified operations against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism in the Niger Delta, helping to recover considerable quantities of stolen crude oil and safeguarding the country’s oil infrastructure.
More than 300 terrorist commanders were reported to have been eliminated by the army under him. However, according to the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, a US-based nonprofit, about 1,600 people, including military personnel, were killed during his tenure.
Importantly, in September, he offered notable suggestions on ending the country’s security crisis in the first strategic personality lecture of the Institute of Peace and Strategic Studies, University of Ibadan, which was delivered on his behalf by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu. According to Lagbaja, “The twin problems of unemployment and poverty have given impetus to security challenges, as the unemployed and poor are susceptible to recruitment by criminals and violent non-state actors.”
He said: “A whole-of-society approach must be implemented in Nigeria by leveraging the strength of every stakeholder to ensure a cohesive and coordinated response to threats. To achieve this, there must be enhanced communication, cooperation, and trust among the different sectors and efforts must be aligned with national interests and other security objectives.” He added: “The strategy can potentially address the root causes of insecurity, such as poverty, unemployment, and social injustice often exploited by adversaries.”
Born in Ilobu, in present-day Osun State, he attended the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), Kaduna, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in 1992. He got a first degree in Geography from NDA in 2001. He also earned a master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. He was Director of Operations at the Army Headquarters, Department of Army Training and Operations, from January to December 2018. He was Commander of Headquarters 9 Brigade, Ikeja, Lagos State, and Headquarters 2 Brigade, Uyo, Akwa Ibom State. Before his elevation to the COAS, he was General Officer Commanding Headquarters 82 Division from March 2021 to August 2022, and Headquarters 1 Division from August 2022 to June 2023.
In separate posthumous tributes, President Bola Tinubu and Chief of Defence Staff Christopher Musa captured his service to the country. Tinubu said he “demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment,” and “played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including ‘Operation ZAKI’ in Benue State, ‘Lafiya Dole’ in Borno, ‘Udoka’ in Southeast Nigeria, and ‘Operation Forest Sanity’ across Kaduna and Niger states.” Musa extolled his “sterling performance, courage and steadfast commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.”
The greatest tribute to him is for the armed forces to continue to pursue with a sense of purpose the defeat of the agents of insecurity across the country.
