Nigeria’s army chief Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja has died after short illness

According to President Bola Tinubu, Nigeria's army leader, Lt Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, passed away at the age of 56 following a "period of illness." He passed away in Lagos on Tuesday evening. His illness's specifics were not disclosed to the public.

President Tinubu sent his "heartfelt condolences" to Gen. Lagbaja's family in a statement posted on X by presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga.

“President Tinubu wishes Lt General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation,” the statement read.

He "played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations," according to the statement, and his demise was a tremendous loss for the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The highest ranked military officer in the Nigerian army is the chief of army staff. Shortly after President Tinubu assumed office, in June 2023, Gen. Lagbaja was named to the post. Concerns were raised since he had not been spotted in public for a while and was frequently absent from duty, sometimes abroad for treatment of an undisclosed ailment.

Nigeria saw a rise in kidnapping cases and attacks by Islamist Boko Haram insurgents during his brief reign, particularly in the country's north and center.