By TEARS and tributes flowed freely on Friday as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest in Abuja, ending an illustrious military career that spanned decades.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in the nation’s capital, marking an end to two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.
His body was lowered to Mother Earth at exactly 4:41p.m after the ceremony that lasted for over two hours.
Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, arrived at the cemetery around 3:00p.m in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
Before the late COAS’ interment, there was a service of songs the previous day at the Army Headquarters Garrison Parade Ground, Mogadishu Cantonment, Abuja.
The Nigerian Air Force airplane carrying Lagbaja’s body arrived at the Presidential Wing of the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja around 12:15p.m on Thursday.
Meanwhile, President Bola Tinubu has, on Friday, conferred a post-homous award of the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) on the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
He made the declaration during the interment in honour of the late warrior at the National Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.
The President extoled the virtues of the late warrior, eulogising his contributions to national security.
According to Tinubu, the appointment of Lagbaja as the COAS was one of his finest made so far.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the post-humous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
He, thereafter, invited the wife of the late COAS, Mariya, who collected the award on behalf of the Lagbaja family, amid applause from the congregation.
The President urged the officers of the military not to allow “death defeat us. Lift your heads in pride in memory of your army chief.”
Tinubu also reiterated his administration’s commitment to support members of the armed forces who work hard to defend the nation.
He expressed gratitude to the Lagbaja family for allowing the late COAS to serve with honour, saying that the works of the late warrior would continue to serve generations yet unborn.
The event had in attendance Vice President Kashima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Defence Minister, governors and top military officials.
Recall that last week, Tinubu had announced Lagbaja’s death, saying the late warrior passed away in Lagos after a period of illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months. President Tinubu appointed him to the role in June 2023.
He 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.
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