The late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, has been honored with a posthumous Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) award by President Bola Tinubu.
The President made this declaration during the internment ceremony on Friday at the National Cemetery, Mogadishu, Abuja, where tributes were paid to the late military leader.
Tinubu extolled Lagbaja’s character and unwavering dedication to national security, stating that his appointment as Chief of Army Staff was among the most prudent decisions of his administration.
The ceremony was attended by prominent figures, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, the Defence Minister, state governors, and senior military personnel.
President Tinubu had previously announced Lagbaja’s death, disclosing that the decorated officer passed away in Lagos after battling an illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lagbaja held the position of Chief of Army Staff for 16 months, having been appointed in June 2023. He played key roles in several critical internal security operations, including Operations ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.