The remains of Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, were flown from Lagos to Abuja today. The event took place at the Air Force wing of Murtala Muhammed Airport in Ikeja, Lagos, drawing a crowd of military personnel, government officials, and close associates who came to pay their last respects.
At around 9:25 a.m., the late General’s casket, draped with the Nigerian flag, was moved from the morgue to the airport. Notable attendees included the Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Obafemi Hamzat, as well as respected traditional leaders and senior officials from the Armed Forces, police, and paramilitary organizations.
Members of the Naval Officers Wives Association (NOWA) and several retired generals also attended, reflecting Lagbaja’s extensive impact on Nigeria’s defense community.
The ceremony began with the national anthem, performed by the Army band, as a group of high-ranking escort officers from the Army and Navy took their positions beside the flag-covered casket. The procession then commenced with a slow, respectful march, accompanied by solemn music that echoed throughout the airport grounds.
Deputy Governor Hamzat and senior military and police officers followed closely, forming a line behind the escort officers. The casket was then carried by an honor guard up the stairs of the NAF 198 C130 aircraft, which would transport the remains to Abuja for further honors.
