Taoreed Lagbaja, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), is dead. 

Lagbaja died after battling an undisclosed ailment. He was 56 years of age.  

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

On October 20, the army dismissed rumours that Lagbaja had passed on, adding that the army chief was undergoing medical treatment abroad. 

On October 30, Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS.

On November 5, the president decorated Oluyede with a new rank of Lieutenant-General.

In a statement issued by Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy to the president on Wednesday, said Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness”.

Details later…