Oyo State governor, Seyi Makinde, has mourned the passing of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, describing it as a sad loss to the country.

The governor, who described Lagbaja as a patriot and one of the finest military officers produced by the country, expressed his condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Senator Bola Tinubu and the Nigerian Army.

Makinde’s condolence message was contained in a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, and released on Wednesday.

He equally commiserated with the immediate family of the deceased COAS as well as the Government and people of Osun State on the demise of their illustrious son, praying to Allah to grant repose to his soul.

Lagbaja’s death was announced by President Bola Tinubu in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga on Wednesday.

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He said that Lagbaja passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness. He, however, did not disclose the illness.

Lagbaja, who died at 56, served as the Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months following his appointment to the position by President Tinubu in June 2023.

His 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.