The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, alongside the defence headquarters, Thursday paid a condolence visit to the widow of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Taoheed Lagbaja, Mrs. Mariya Lagbaja, at the late Army chief’s official residence in Abuja.
A press statement by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in Abuja, said: “The IGP described the late COAS as a great man who dedicated his life and wealth of experience to defending our nation’s security space.”
He said the IGP was in the company of the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar; the Minister of State Defence, Dr. Bello Mohammed Matawalle, Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, service chiefs, and other senior officers from the Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Adejobi said, the police boss while reiterating the significant role the late COAS played in fighting insurgency and terrorism in Nigeria, noted that Lagbaja’s death was a great loss to our dear country and has surely created a vacuum.
“The IGP, on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, again expressed condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Force, President Bola Tinubu, the Armed Forces of Nigeria, family and friends of the late COAS, and prayed that God will grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.”
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to wear black bands for seven days to mourn the death of COAS.
Egbetokun gave the directive through a statement by the FPRO, who noted that the directive was to honour Lagbaja, who showed gallantry, dedication, and passion in the fight against insurgency in the country during his lifetime.
Adejobi said: “Following the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to wear black band throughout the seven day mourning period.
“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria. He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means. May the soul of the late COAS rest in peace”.
