
UPDATE: LAGBAJA BURIED AMID GRIEF, TRIBUTES
Tears and tributes flowed freely on Friday as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja was laid to rest in Abuja, ending an illustrious military career that spanned decades.
The burial took place at the National Cemetery in the nation’s capital marking an end to 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.
Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white colours, 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. 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.
In his eulogy, President Tinubu described the appointment of the late Lagbaja as one of his finest decisions since assuming office as Nigeria’s leader.
“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),” Tinubu said, asking the military not to be demoralised by the demise of the COAS.
“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,” he said.
More Stories
POLICE CONFIRM DEATHS OF TWO ACTORS AFTER MEAL IN IMO
The Imo State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of two yet-to-be-identified Nollywood actors in Owerri, the state capital, after...
‘EVERYTHING JUST WENT BLANK’ — SURVIVOR RECALLS TERRIFYING LAGOS BUILDING COLLAPSE
A survivor of the building that collapsed in the early hours of today in Lagos has narrated how he almost...
TINUBU’S REMOVAL IN 2027 NON-NEGOTIABLE – LABOUR PARTY
The Chairman of the Labour Party in Ogun State, Chief Samuel Olaolu, has declared that the opposition party is determined...
KADUNA CRACKDOWN: POLICE NAB SIX KIDNAP SUSPECTS, SEIZE FOUR AK-47 RIFLES
The Kaduna State Police Command has arrested six persons suspected to be kidnappers during various Operations across state. The command’s...
‘KEEP SUPPORTING TINUBU,’ FUBARA TELLS RIVERS PEOPLE IN EASTER MESSAGE
Despite being suspended, Governor of Rivers State Siminalayi Fubara has urged people of the state to continue supporting President Bola...
VOLVO TO LAY OFF 800 U.S. WORKERS, BLAMES TARIFFS AND MARKET SLUMP
Volvo Group has announced plans to lay off up to 800 workers at three of its U.S. facilities over the...