Pa Tajudeen Lagbaja, the family head of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has expressed deep regret for enrolling his nephew in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA), saying he would not have done so if he had foreseen the tragic outcome.
Speaking to The Nation, Pa Tajudeen—who is the younger brother of the late COAS’s father—shared his sorrow and the shock felt by the family over Lt. General Lagbaja’s death, saying, “Had I known he would pass before me, I would not have obtained the NDA form for him. But it was his destiny.”
Some family members speculate that Lt. General Lagbaja’s death could be linked to a diabolical attack related to a local land dispute. In 2023, tensions reportedly arose in Ilobu, Osun State, over a proposed military hospital, potentially leading to hostilities.
Pa Tajudeen described Lt. General Lagbaja as a source of hope for the family and community, having provided amenities like a borehole for his hometown. While the family mourns the untimely loss, he expressed acceptance of fate, saying, “Everyone who is born must die. Despite the sorrow, I give thanks to God.”
