Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, the head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over helping his late relative obtain the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) form, saying that had he known the military career would end so tragically, he would not have facilitated the process.
In an emotional statement, Pa Tajudeen shared his sorrow, lamenting that if he had known the military path would lead to such an untimely death, he would have refrained from helping Taoreed pursue it.
“If I had known his life would be cut short, I would not have obtained the NDA form for him,” Pa Tajudeen said, reflecting on the devastating loss of his nephew.
Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, the head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja
Other members of the family have also raised suspicions surrounding Lt. General Lagbaja’s death, suggesting that it may have been influenced by diabolical forces linked to a land dispute in his hometown of Ilobu, Osun State. According to reports, the conflict began in 2023 when a Nigerian Army delegation proposed establishing a hospital in the community.
Pa Tajudeen further expressed his grief, saying, “Everyone who is born must die, but we give glory to God. If I had known that he would pass before me, I would not have obtained that NDA form for him. But it is destiny.”
He continued, “The death that took Taoreed Lagbaja should have taken me, his father’s younger brother. I raised him like one of my own children. We are deeply bereaved and saddened. He was someone who built boreholes in his father’s compound and worked for the betterment of the community.”
The family head described the loss as a great shock, adding that he has accepted it as fate, though he remains devastated by the broken promises his nephew had made to him. “He always gave us hope despite the sorrow. I thank God for the time we had with him.”
Additionally, a family member named Madam Toyin has suggested that the death of Lt. General Lagbaja might have been caused by diabolical means, allegedly linked to the land dispute in Ilobu.