President Bola Tinubu has postponed the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for Wednesday over the death of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff.
The presidency had earlier announced that Lagbaja died on Tuesday night in Lagos after battling an undisclosed illness.
“Initially scheduled for today, the council meeting was postponed in honour of Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja,” announced President Tinubu’s media adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
Lagbaja served as COAS from June 19, 2023, till his death on November 5, 2024.
Onanuga added, “President Tinubu also ordered flags to be flown at half-staff nationwide for seven days in honour of the departed general.
“Earlier today, President Tinubu expressed his heartfelt condolences to the Lagbaja family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“He wished Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honoured his significant contributions to the nation.”
Before the announcement of his death, Lagbaja had not been seen in public for almost two months. This led to speculation of his death which the Nigerian army promptly denied.
The confirmation of Lagbaja’s death came hours after President Tinubu decorated the acting chief of army staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, with the rank of Lieutenant General.
Oluyede was appointed in an acting capacity on October 30, 2024.