Major shake-up imminent in Nigegian Army Following death of COAS, Lt Gen Lagbaja – Crime Channels
Major shake-up imminent in Nigegian Army Following death of COAS, Lt Gen Lagbaja
A significant reshuffle is set to unfold within the Nigerian Army following the tragic passing of Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Reports from Daily Trust indicate that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is expected to announce Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede as the new, substantive Chief of Army Staff, following his recent promotion.
The appointment, however, will need to undergo Senate confirmation, with potential further adjustments within the military ranks to follow.
A senior military official, speaking anonymously due to the ongoing mourning period, confirmed that some of Oluyede’s coursemates are slated for redeployment to the Defence Headquarters.
He further clarified that while none of the officers from the 39th Regular Course (RC) would be forced into retirement, some may be reassigned to serve in military institutions.
The majority of officers from the 38th RC, who had previously retired after the appointments of Gen. Lagbaja and other service chiefs, have made way for a new generation of leaders.
In the wake of Gen. Lagbaja’s death, President Tinubu, alongside the Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, governors, and other prominent figures, joined in mourning the loss of the military leader.
As a mark of respect, the president postponed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday. According to Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, the meeting was rescheduled in honor of Gen. Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday night after a brief illness.
The decision to cancel the meeting was communicated just as Vice President Kashim Shettima and other cabinet members were preparing to convene.
In a statement, President Tinubu expressed his deep sorrow over Lagbaja’s passing, extending condolences to his family and the Nigerian Armed Forces. Gen. Lagbaja, who leaves behind his wife Mariya and two children, was hailed for his immense contributions to both the military and the nation.
President Tinubu had only recently promoted Olufemi Oluyede to the rank of Lieutenant General, following his appointment as acting Chief of Army Staff just days before. Lt.-Gen. Oluyede officially assumed the leadership of the Nigerian Army last Friday, a transition that marked a shift in the military’s leadership dynamics. Gen. Christopher Musa, Chief of Defence Staff, noted that the acting COAS role was an unprecedented move in military tradition.
The Senate President, Akpabio, and Deputy Senate President Barau Jibrin also paid tribute to the late army chief. Akpabio described Gen. Lagbaja as an exemplary officer, whose experience was critical in the fight against insecurity in the country. Jibrin highlighted the late COAS’s honorable service and his pivotal role in shaping Nigeria’s military strategy.
Other leaders, including the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Benjamin Okezie Kalu, and governors from across the country, also mourned his passing.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum, led by Kwara State Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, praised Lagbaja’s tireless efforts to safeguard the nation’s security. Governors from the Northern States Governors’ Forum, led by Gombe State’s Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, also expressed their condolences, echoing sentiments of loss and admiration for the late army chief.
In a heartfelt message, Borno State Governor Babagana Zulum described Lagbaja’s death as a significant loss, noting his commitment to military excellence. Osun State’s Governor Ademola Adeleke lamented the tragedy as a “huge misfortune.”
Kogi State Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo urged the leadership of the Nigerian Army to carry forward Lagbaja’s vision of a secure Nigeria, pledging continued support for the military’s mission.
Former President Muhammadu Buhari also joined in the national mourning, praising Gen. Lagbaja as a patriot whose service to the country was marked by dedication, professionalism, and integrity.
As Nigeria grapples with the loss of a key military figure, attention now turns to the future of the Nigerian Army and how the leadership transition will shape the country’s security landscape.
