A wave of emotions swept through the National Cemetery in Abuja on Friday, November 15, as the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, was laid to rest.
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The burial marked the conclusion of two days of funeral rites that began in Lagos earlier in the week, with the final ceremony drawing dignitaries, military leaders, and mourners from across the nation.
The solemn occasion reached its emotional peak when Lagbaja’s casket, draped in Nigeria’s green and white flag, was lowered into the grave at precisely 4:41 PM.
The casket had arrived at the cemetery an hour earlier in a white funeral wagon following a service at the National Christian Centre in Abuja.
President Bola Tinubu, Vice President Kashim Shettima, Acting Chief of Army Staff Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Defence Staff General Christopher Musa, and Minister of Defence Abubakar Badaru were among the top dignitaries in attendance.
The ceremony reflected the late Army Chief’s towering legacy, as glowing tributes highlighted his service to the nation and his enduring impact on Nigeria’s armed forces.
Lagbaja, who was revered for his strategic leadership and dedication to Nigeria’s security, leaves behind a legacy of valor and patriotism. His passing has left a void in the military community and beyond.
As the nation bids farewell to one of its finest, the outpouring of tributes underscores the late general’s influence and the indelible mark he left on Nigeria’s defense and unity.