More revelations surface as family, community speak on late COAS’s death
Days after the death of former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, traditionalists in Osun State have raised concerns about his death, revealing that that his passing may not have been due to natural causes. Spiritual leaders from his hometown, Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area, declared their intention to invoke the spirit of the late General to seek justice against those they believe are responsible for his untimely passing.
A well-known traditionalist in the area, Awopegba Ifagbemi, shared with the Sunday Tribune that the town remains in mourning, calling the Federal Government to release Lagbaja’s body to enable them to perform the necessary spiritual rites.
While confirming that local traditionalists had convened to discuss the required rituals, Ifagbemi refrained from providing specific details about these rites.
Family’s Reaction
The head of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja’s family, Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, has expressed regret obtaining Nigerian Defence Academic (NDA) form for the deceased.
Pa Tajudeen, the younger brother of the late COAS’s father, stated that he would not have bought the form had he known it would lead to his death.
Some family members also alleged that Lt. General Lagbaja may have been killed through diabolical means due to a land dispute in his hometown.
According to TheNation, In 2023 a dispute arose in Ilobu, the headquarters of Irepodun Local Government Area in Osun State, when representatives of the Nigerian Army planned to establish a hospital in the community.
Pa Tajudeen told TheNation that he initially obtained the NDA form for the late Lieutenant General.
“Everyone who is born must die. We give glory to God. The year that I obtained NDA form for him, if I had known that he would die before me, I would not have done so. I regret obtaining the form for him. But it is destiny.
“The death that killed Taoreed Lagbaja ought to take me. I took him as one of my children. We are greatly bereaved, we are sad. He constructed a borehole in his father’s compound and other places in the community.
“We can never forget him, his death is so shocking to us. I have accepted the fate, all the promises he made to me have hit a brick wall. He always gave us hope in the family, despite the sorrow, I give thanks to God,” the family head said.
Community Reaction
Similarly, Alhaji Dauda Taofeek, a respected community leader, stated emphatically that Lagbaja’s death was unnatural and vowed that those responsible would face consequences, noting the profound impact of the General’s death on the community, Osun State, and Nigeria at large.
Monarch’s Reaction
Meanwhile, the Olobu of Ilobu, Oba Ashiru Olatoye Olaniyan, called Lagbaja’s death a “generational disaster.”
He urged the Federal Government to release the body for a proper burial in his hometown.
“We are deeply bereaved. This tragedy is unprecedented. It came at a time when we were celebrating his accomplishments,” said Oba Olaniyan.
“Since I assumed the throne over 50 years ago, Wednesday was one of the darkest days for our community. He was a devoted son of Ilobu and committed to the town’s progress. We prayed and fasted, but ultimately, it is God’s will. Only divine intervention can console us now. I pray that God strengthens his family and supports our community during this time.”
