The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, have arrived in Abuja in preparation for his final interment.

His body arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at precisely 12:16 pm.

The funeral services are scheduled to commence on Thursday with a Service of Songs. This will be followed by his interment on Friday afternoon.

According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Lagbaja will be buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Friday.

The body of the late Lagbaja was received in Abuja with a guard of honour on Thursday, as Nigeria’s military top brass paid their respects.

The remains were escorted down a red carpet at the presidential wing of the airport.

In a statement, President Bola Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the late army chief’s family and the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Born on February 28, 1968, Lt Gen Lagbaja served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months, following his appointment by Tinubu in June 2023.

His distinguished military career began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.

Throughout his service, Lagbaja commanded operations that were vital to national security, including Operation ZAKI in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states.

An alumnus of the U.S. Army War College, he held a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, underscoring his commitment to military excellence and leadership.

Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.

THE PUNCH