A former military president, General Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has condoled with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja.
The former military leader, popularly called IBB, in a condolence message released by his media office, described Lt. General Lagbaja’s death as a profound loss not only to his immediate family but to Nigeria as a whole.
“He was a fine officer and a dedicated leader of men whose sense of patriotism was exemplary.
“His vigorous effort at the frontline of the war to end banditry and insurgency has already borne good fruits, and it is unfortunate that he would not be around to see it through,” the statement added.
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Gen. Babangida, who said Nigeria had once again lost a gallant army chief, prayed for his soul to rest in peace.
He urged the military to continue to make the necessary sacrifice to safeguard Nigeria’s democracy, territorial integrity, and safety of citizens.
Similarly, a former Senior Special Assistant to the President on National Assembly Matters, Senator Babajide Omoworare, has said late Lt. General Lagbaja was a courageous fighter.
In a statement on Thursday in Abuja, Omoworare said his gallantry on the battlefield, command of the troops and service to Nigeria showed that he was a gallant officer.
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, yesterday ordered officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to wear black bands for a seven-day mourning period.
This, he said, was in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff who died on Tuesday in Lagos after a prolonged illness.
Egbetokun, who gave the directive through the Force spokesman, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stressed that the directive was aimed at paying glowing tribute to Lagbaja’s gallantry and dedication.
He noted that Lagbaja’s passion in fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria should always be commended and honoured.
Meanwhile, the Minister of Defence, Abubakar Badaru and his state counterpart, Bello Matawalle, led service chiefs to pay a condolence visit to the family of the deceased.
The service chiefs included: the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Adm. Emmanuel Ogalla; Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Maj.-Gen. Emmanuel Undiandeye.
Also on the visit was the Inspector-General of Police and the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Defence, Ibrahim Kana.
The acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, received the visitors at the Flag Staff House, official residence of the COAS at Niger Barracks, Asokoro, Abuja.
The ministers and the service chiefs took turn to pen down their individual condolence messages in the condolence register opened at the residence.
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