The head of the family of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret over his decision to obtain the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) admission form for the deceased.
Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, revealed that if he had foreseen the tragic outcome, he would not have facilitated his nephew’s entry into the military.
He said: “Had I known that obtaining the NDA form for him would lead to this, I wouldn’t have done it.
“However, we accept it as destiny. Everyone must face death, but this loss has hit us hard. Taoreed was more than a nephew to me; I regarded him as one of my own children”.
The grieving family head recounted the late General’s contributions to their hometown of Ilobu in Osun State, highlighting projects such as a borehole in his father’s compound and other communal initiatives.
“He gave us hope and brought pride to the family. His death is a great loss, but we give thanks to God,” Pa Tajudeen added.
The late General’s death has also sparked suspicions within the family. Some relatives allege that he may have been a victim of diabolical forces linked to a land dispute in Ilobu. In 2023, tensions arose when the Nigerian Army proposed establishing a hospital in the community, reportedly leading to conflicts over land ownership.
Despite the tragic circumstances, the family expressed gratitude for Lt. General Lagbaja’s life and legacy, while grappling with the shock of his untimely demise.