News
Gen. Lagbaja’s Death Throws FEC, Military Into Mourning
The death on Tuesday of Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja has thrown the nation into mourning.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ordered flags to be flown at half-mast nationwide for seven days.
He cancelled the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting and received visitors who paid condolence call on him, including Vice President Kashim Shettima.
All activities at the Defence Headquarters and Army Headquarters were put on hold for the late Army chief.
Gen. Lagbaja spent 16 months in office as the 23rd Chief of Army Staff.
Last month, news broke that he was flown to the United States to take care of an undisclosed ailment.
On October 30, the President appointed Maj.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who was commander of the infantry corps in Jaji, Kaduna State, as acting Chief of Army Staff, an indication that Gen. Lagbaja was critically ill.
On Tuesday, Maj-Gen Oluyede was promoted and decorated by the President and Commander-in-Chief, as a Lieutenant General, the rank reserved for a serving Chief or Army Staff.
Coincidentally, Gen. Lagbaja died on that same day in Lagos, having being flown back from the U.S., a few days earlier.
He was said to have lost the battle to cancer.
Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja’s home town, Ilobu in Osun State, was enveloped in mourning as observed by The Nation reporter who visited the town yesterday after his death was announced.
People sat in groups discussing the development. Many others flocked to the palace of the town’s monarch.
Ministers were already seated at the Council chamber, waiting for the arrival of Mr. President, when Vice President Shettima called the ministers, who were exchanging banters ahead of the commencement of the meeting, to order.
He then announced the postponement of the meeting. He said: “Honourable ministers, this is a message from the President. He has suspended today’s Council meeting in honour of the Chief of Army Staff. May his soul rest in perfect peace.
“Let’s observe a minute silence in his honour.”
This was done.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, announcing Gen. Lagbaja demise, said in a statement: “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, regrets to announce the passing of Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, Chief of the Army Staff, at age 56.
“He passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness.
“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu.
“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987. On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.
“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.
“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.
“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.
“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children.
“President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time. He wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation”.
CDS mourns Gen. Lagbaja
The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Christopher Musa, described the death of Lt.-Gen. Lagbaja as a “tremendous loss,” not only to his family, but the Nigerian military and the entire country.
General Musa said this in a statement by the Director of Defence Information, Brig-Gen Tukur Gusau.
The CDS described the late COAS as “a courageous, hard-working, reliable, loyal, and dedicated service chief whose tireless efforts and unflinching commitment to the security and well-being of the nation were unparalleled.”
He said: “Lieutenant General Lagbaja’s legacy of exceptional service and loyalty leaves an indelible mark on the Nigerian Army, the Armed Force of Nigeria and the national defence security landscape”.
Recalling General Lagbaja’s 16-month tenure as the COAS, the CDS Chief acknowledged his sterling performance, courage and steadfast commitment to safeguarding Nigeria’s sovereignty.
“His enduring dedication and achievements will forever be remembered in the annals of the Nigerian Armed Forces and the nation at large,” he said.
The CDS condoled with President Bola Tinubu, the family of the late General Lagbaja and all Nigerians over the sad loss and prayed to Almighty God to grant strength and comfort to his beloved wife, Mrs. Maria, and his family during this period of immense grief.
He emphasised that the Nigerian military and the nation will deeply feel the void left by General Lagbaja’s invaluable service, especially in these critical times of addressing national security challenges.
Acting COAS leads condolence delegation
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, led a condolence delegation to the official residence of the late Gen. Lagbaja to commiserate with his widow, Mariya.
Lt – Gen Oluyede was with Principal Staff Officers of the Army Headquarters, Corps Commanders, and General Officers Commanding of the Nigerian Army.
Gen Oluyede extolled his gallantry, dedication, and legacies throughout his service years in the Nigerian Army.
Both Lt-Gen. Lagbaja and Lt.-Gen. Oluyede were mates, members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA).
Lt.-Gen. Oluyede and the team moved towards the corner where the condolence register was placed.
He stepped forward smartly to sign the register behind which was placed the portrait of Gen. Lagbaja.
After writing his message, Lt.-Gen. Oluyede stepped backward and made a brisk salute.
He wrote: “It is with a huge sense of loss, albeit responsibility that I, on behalf of the officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, commiserate with Mrs Mariya Lagbaja, the children and the entire Lagbaja clan over the passing of our dogged, gallant and extremely dedicated leader, Lieutenant General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja (Nigerian Army Medal), Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army. Lt Gen Lagbaja, without doubt, gave his all to the service of our dear nation. This was evident in his dedication to duty and the legacies he has left behind. We only take solace in the fact that we cannot in any way querry the Almighty. We surely owe him a whole lot. Rest in peace, our leader and hero. You will surely be missed. “
He contributed greatly to secure Nigeria
Defence Minister Mohammed Badaru and the Minister of Defence (State) Bello Matawalle said Gen. Lagbaja contributed greatly in securing the country against adversaries.
The ministers said the late army chief exhibited a high level of professionalism during his lifetime.
They described him as a team player who “exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.”
“The passing on to eternal glory shocked us at the Ministry of Defence as our working relationship with him is commendable as he exhibited the spirit of camaraderie and cooperation with us in the discharge of our mandate.
“The late Chief of Army Staff contributed in no small measure to the internal security operations across Nigeria and also exhibited a high level of professionalism.
“He will be greatly missed by the family, the Military and the nation as he served the nation with commitment and dedication.
“May his soul rest in the bosom of the Lord.”
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has issued a directive to all financial institutions to immediately restrict certain banking services for large-ticket borrowers with non-performing loans (NPLs).
This move is aimed at strengthening credit discipline and protecting the stability of the Nigerian financial system following a rise in the industry’s NPL ratio to approximately 7%, exceeding the regulatory 5% threshold.
This order is specifically targeted at large-ticket obligors.
The CBN issued the directive in a circular to banks on Monday.
The latest instruction comes almost a week after the CBN asked financial institutions to stress test.
It is uncertain if the two directives are connected or what may have triggered the loan-related instruction, but the apex bank said it furthers its mandate to protect Nigeria’s financial system.
“In furtherance of its mandate to promote a sound financial system, protect depositors, and enhance prudential compliance within the banking sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) hereby directs all banks to restrict non-performing large ticket obligors, whose activities pose systemic risk to the financial system, from accessing specified banking services,” the circular reads in part.
“Any large-ticket obligor with a non-performing facility recorded in the CRMS and/or any licensed private credit bureau shall not be granted additional credit facilities. For the purpose of this restriction, credit facilities include loans and other forms of direct credit.
“In addition, such obligors shall not be granted banking facilities or contingent liabilities such as bankers’ confirmations, letters of credit, performance bonds, or advance payment guarantees.”
Babajide Kolade-Otitoju, the Director of News at TVC News, recently stated that Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde would likely have defected from the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) if he was still serving his first term.
Otitoju stated this on Friday on TVC’s ‘Breakfast Show’.
He described the National Convention of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in Ibadan last November as a mere waste of time.
“People must show good judgment at a critical phase. What was the point of having that convention? Two courts told you not to go ahead but you went ahead.
“I may not be a fan of former Senate President Bukola Saraki but if he says something that makes sense, I will be the first to admit it. He made sense when he said let’s go for caretaker. What’s the point of not listening to him?
“Later you will be shouting that the ruling party is behind your crisis, meanwhile you are the architect of your own misfortunes. You created this problem.
“If Makinde were in his first term, he would have fled like the dancing governor because his second term would have been in danger,” Otitoju said.
The Federal High Court in Abuja has granted the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) permission to access and forensically examine about 14 sets of electronic devices seized from the residence of former Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai.
Justice Joyce Abdulmalik issued the order yesterday while ruling on an ex-parte motion filed by the ICPC and moved by its lawyer, Dr. Osuobeni Akponimisingha.
The commission said it needed to access the devices for inspection, forensic examination and extraction of data in furtherance of its ongoing investigation of the former governor.
The devices include a Sony HD-EGS storage device, an ITB Transcend storage device, a Toshiba storage device, a Samsung mobile phone, a Nokia mobile phone – N958GB, a Blackberry mobile phone device and a Google IDEOS phone.
Others are a Samsung storage device – SPO802N, a Remarkable tablet, an Apple MacBook Pro – black, a Seagate FreeAgent Desk external drive, a ZTE mobile phone, 10 pieces of flash drives and a Microcell memory card.
Justice Abdulmalik, in the ruling, granted the commission access to the gadgets “for inspection, forensic examination and forensic extraction of data, including public documents, WhatsApp conversations, text messages, pictures, call logs and related information, and to analyse same forensically or otherwise from the said electronic devices which were seized in the course of investigation for the purpose of investigation activity.”
El-Rufai is currently before the same court challenging the search of his house and seeking, among others, N1 billion in compensation.
Listed as respondents in the suit, marked FHC/ABJ/CS/345/2026, are the ICPC; the Chief Magistrate at the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT, Abuja; the Inspector-General of Police (IGP); and the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF).
El-Rufai is challenging the propriety of the recent search of his Asokoro, Abuja residence by agents of the ICPC, during which some items were recovered.
The former governor, who is seeking a number of reliefs, wants the court to declare that the search warrant issued on February 4 by the Chief Magistrate of the Magistrate’s Court of the FCT (2nd respondent), authorising the search of his residence and seizure of items, was invalid, null and void.
He also wants a declaration that the search warrant is “null and void for lack of particularity, material drafting errors, ambiguity in execution parameters, overbreadth and absence of probable cause, thereby constituting an unlawful and unreasonable search in violation of Section 37 of the Constitution.”
El-Rufai is urging the court to declare that the alleged invasion and search of his residence at House 12, Mambilla Street, Aso Drive, Abuja, on February 19 at about 2 pm by agents of the ICPC and the IGP, who were armed with the said warrant, amounted to a gross violation of his rights to dignity of the human person, personal liberty, fair hearing and privacy under Sections 34, 35, 36 and 37 of the Constitution.
He is also asking the court to award N1,000,000,000.00 (one billion naira) “as general, exemplary and aggravated damages against the respondents jointly and severally for the violations of the applicant’s fundamental rights, including trespass, unlawful seizure and the resultant psychological trauma, humiliation, distress, infringement of privacy and reputational harm.”
He contends that the search warrant was fundamentally defective, lacking specificity in the description of items to be seized, containing material typographical errors, ambiguous execution terms, overbroad directives and no verifiable probable cause.
He argued that the lack of specificity in the warrant contravenes Sections 143–148 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015, Section 36 of the ICPC Act 2000 and constitutional protections against arbitrary intrusions.
According to him, Section 143 of the ACJA requires that an application for a search warrant be supported by information in writing and on oath, setting forth reasonable grounds for suspicion, which he said was absent in this case, as evidenced by the incomplete initiating clause.
He said Section 144 mandates particular descriptions of the place to be searched and the items sought to prevent general warrants, adding that the search was conducted without legal justification and in a manner that inflicted humiliation and distress.
El-Rufai further argued that execution of the said invalid warrant on February 19 resulted in an unlawful invasion of his premises, constituting violations of the rights to dignity (Section 34), personal liberty (Section 35), fair hearing (Section 36) and privacy (Section 37) of the Constitution.
CBN Bars Chronic Loan Defaulters from Accessing New Banking Services
Makinde Only In PDP Because He’s Not Seeking Re-election – Otitoju
Corruption Probe: Court Grants ICPC Access To Data On El-Rufai’s Seized Gadgets
Beyond My Wildest Dreams: Disu Opens Up During Handover From Egbetokun
Terror Surge: Tinubu Demands Results from Security Chiefs
2027 Shakeup: 12 Lawmakers Defect To APC, ADC
World War III Fears: Zelensky Reveals Warning To Trump
Tensions Rise As Makoko Communities Vow To Resist Relocation Order
Union Bank Of Nigeria Marks International Women’s Month 2026 With Inclusion-First “Give to Gain” Campaign
IWD: Fidelity Bank Signs MoU with Partners, Launch ‘Give Her Power’ Initiative to Empower Nigerian Women
-
News1 day agoWorld War III Fears: Zelensky Reveals Warning To Trump
-
News1 day ago2027 Shakeup: 12 Lawmakers Defect To APC, ADC
-
News2 days agoTensions Rise As Makoko Communities Vow To Resist Relocation Order
-
News22 hours agoTerror Surge: Tinubu Demands Results from Security Chiefs
-
News7 hours agoMakinde Only In PDP Because He’s Not Seeking Re-election – Otitoju
-
News11 hours agoCorruption Probe: Court Grants ICPC Access To Data On El-Rufai’s Seized Gadgets
-
News15 hours agoBeyond My Wildest Dreams: Disu Opens Up During Handover From Egbetokun
-
News6 hours agoCBN Bars Chronic Loan Defaulters from Accessing New Banking Services