Nigeria's national flag fly at half-mast following army chief's death

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Nigerian President, Bola Tinubu, on Wednesday, directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast for seven days while confirming the death of Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, the country's army chief.

Tinubu said in a statement that Lagbaja, died late Tuesday in the southwestern state of Lagos following a period of illness. 

The Nigeria's 23rd Chief of Army Staff, died aged 56.

"Throughout his service, Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment," the Nigerian leader said, adding that the deceased army chief had made "significant contributions to the nation."

Expressing his condolences to the family and the Nigerian armed forces, Tinubu noted that Lagbaja played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations in the most populous African country.

The late army chief, an alumnus of the US Army College, was appointed by Tinubu on June 19, 2023.

A statement from the Nigerian Army indicates that the late Lt. Gen Lagbaja, a seasoned Infantry officer, was commissioned in 1992 as a member of the 39 Regular Combatant Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna. 

The former Special Forces Commander held several appointments in the course of his career.