Tinubu directs flags at half-mast after Taoreed Lagbaja’s death

President Bola Tinubu has ordered that national flags be flown at half-mast in honour of late Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff (COAS).

Segun Imohiosen, director of information and public relations at the office of secretary to the government of the federation (OSGF), disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

He said the president has “directed that national flags be flown at half-mast throughout the country for seven days in honour of the departed army chief”.

Lagbaja, aged 56, died on Tuesday after battling an undisclosed ailment.

He was appointed COAS by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.

Lagbaja enrolled into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.

In September 1992, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th regular course.

He served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

Lagbaja also participated in various internal security operations, including operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in south-east, and forest sanity in Kaduna and Niger.

The president has appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS.