Tinubu confers posthumous CFR honour on COAS Lagbaja
By Jeffrey Agbo
President Bola Tinubu on Friday posthumously awarded the Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR) honour to the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.
The declaration was made during the interment ceremony for the late General, held at the National Military Cemetery in Mogadishu, Abuja.
Tinubu praised General Lagbaja’s invaluable contributions to national security and described his service as exemplary.
“As an eternal symbol of our appreciation, I have granted the late Chief of Army Staff, the posthumous national honour of the Commander of the Federal Republic of the Niger (CFR),” Tinubu declared.
Following this, he invited the widow of the late COAS, Mrs. Maria Lagbaja, to the podium, where she received the honour on behalf of the Lagbaja family, to the applause of the gathered crowd.
In his address, President Tinubu encouraged the military officers present, urging them not to let “death defeat us,” but to “lift your heads in pride in memory of your army chief.”
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The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to supporting the armed forces, emphasising the importance of the men and women in uniform who work tirelessly to protect the nation. He thanked the Lagbaja family for their sacrifice, stating that the late General’s legacy would continue to inspire future generations.
The ceremony was attended by a host of dignitaries, including Vice President Kashim Shettima, Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker of the House of Representatives Tajudeen Abbas, Defence Minister, various state governors, and top military officials.
President Tinubu had previously announced the passing of General Lagbaja, who died in Lagos last week after a brief illness.
Born on February 28, 1968, General Lagbaja served as the Chief of Army Staff for just over a year, having been appointed to the position in June 2023.
During his tenure, he played a pivotal role in key security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue, Operation Lafiya Dole in Borno, Operation Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger States.
