Emotions, tears, tributes as Army Chief, Lagbaja, is buried in Abuja

It was bouts of emotions and tears and tributes as Nigerians bid farewell to the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, who was buried in Abuja, Friday.

The burial ceremonies, which took place at the National Cemetery in Abuja, ended two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week.

His body was lowered to Mother Earth at exactly 4:41 pm after the ceremony that lasted four over two hours, ending a glorious military career that spanned decades.

Lagbaja’s casket was draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours. The remains arrived at the cemetery around 3 pm in a white funeral wagon after a funeral service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.

Several dignitaries attended the event, including President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt.Gen. Olufemi Oluyede; the Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa; the Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru and other top government officials and military brass graced the occasion.

President Tinubu described the appointment of the late Lagbaja as one of his finest decisions since assuming office as Nigeria’s leader.

According to him, “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).

“Please, do not let death defeat us and I, as commander-in-chief, renew my pledge to you today that the country will always support you and your family.”

The president urged the military not to be demoralised by the demise of the COAS.

The CDS, General Musa said the demise of the COAS will not dampen the military’s resolve to fight insecurity.

“To my fellow officers and men, let us use this moment to recommit ourselves to the ideas for which General Labaja stood for.

“Let us ensure that his sacrifice and service continue to guide our steps as we defend this great nation. We are going to use his passing away to resolve further to defeat all enemies of the state, wherever they are, whether within or outside,” he said.

Also, the acting COAS Oluyede said Lagbaja was instrumental to his career, narrating how he nominated him for a national honour even on a sick bed.

Friday’s burial was the climax of the funeral rites for the late Lagbaja who died after a brief illness in Lagos on Tuesday, November 5th.

Earlier, 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 – from Lagos – around 12:15 pm on Thursday.

Lagbaja was born on February 28, 1968. He was the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his nomination for the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.