President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, has described the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, as rare gem and a fine officer, who gave his all for the territorial security and unity of the country.

Akpabio said he received the news of the death of the late military chief with shock, describing him as a General who always led his troops from the front in all combat situations.

READ ALSO: Tinubu Announces Death Of Chief Of Army Staff Lagbaja

A statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Jackson Udom, quoted Akpabio as saying, “I received the news of the death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, with shock. His death, coming at a time the country needed his wealth of experience in tackling and bringing to an end insecurity in some parts of the country, is a huge loss to the country and the security community.

“He was a fine, committed and dedicated officer, who served the country with all his might, even at the risk of paying the supreme price.

“On behalf of my family, the people of Akwa Ibom North West Senatorial District and the Senate of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I commiserate with the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria, Senator Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR the military community, the larger Lagbaja family and the Nation on this great loss.

“I pray that Almighty God grant his wife, children, colleagues and those who knew him, the fortitude to bear this irreplaceable loss .May God almighty grant the soul of the departed gallant officer eternal rest,amen.”

President Bola Tinubu announced Lagbaja’s death in a statement signed by his spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, on Wednesday. He died at the age of 56 after a brief illness which was not disclosed.

Lagbaja becomes the second Chief of Army Staff to die in office in the last three years since Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died just months into his tenure in 2021.