Full List of Chief of Army Staff Who Died in Office

Nigeria is in mourning following the sudden death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, who passed away on Tuesday in Lagos after a brief illness.

His death comes less than a year after his appointment by President Bola Tinubu, marking a significant loss to the nation’s military leadership.

Lagbaja’s death is the third instance in Nigeria’s history where a sitting Chief of Army Staff has passed away while in office, further adding to the country’s tragic history of military leadership losses.

Here is a look at the previous Chiefs of Army Staff who died while serving:

Joseph Akahan (August 1967)

Joseph Akahan, at just 30 years old, was appointed Army Chief shortly before the Nigerian Civil War broke out in 1967. After visiting the frontlines in Nsukka, he returned to his hometown in Gboko for a brief rest. Tragically, as he was en route back to Makurdi, the helicopter carrying him crashed, killing him and the two pilots aboard.

Attahiru Ibrahim (May 21, 2021)

Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed COAS in January 2021 to replace Tukur Buratai amid growing security concerns. Just months into his tenure, Attahiru died in a plane crash while on an official assignment from Abuja to Kaduna. The crash, caused by severe weather conditions, claimed the lives of Attahiru and 10 members of his entourage.

Taoreed Lagbaja (November 5, 2024)

Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, a graduate of the U.S. Army War College, was commissioned into the Nigerian Army in 1992. Before becoming COAS on June 19, 2023, he served as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion. He played crucial roles in key internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states.

A statement from Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga confirmed that Lagbaja died in Lagos after a brief illness. He has since been replaced by his classmate from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Olufemi Oluyede, who was appointed by the acting Chief of Army Staff last Wednesday following Lagbaja’s extended period of ill health.