The Nigeria Customs Service has suspended it’s Gala and Awards Night ceremony which is part o the programme of its ongoing Comptroller General of Customs Conference to honour the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Taoreed Lagbaja.
Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi who announced this on Thursday in an emotion laden voice, told participants at the conference that all was set for the ceremony and the service had made 95percent financial commitment to it’s vendors but had to suspend it in line with the mood of the nation.
Adeniyi who described Lagbaja as a selfless and committed officer who died in service announced provision of vehicles to convey customs officers to the service of songs. and other events lined up for the funeral of the army chief.
He added that the award ceremony would be held at a later date and venue to be communicated to the recipients and officers of the service
The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, arrived in Abuja on Thursday in preparation for his final interment. His body arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at precisely 12:16 pm.
The funeral services are scheduled to commence on Thursday with a Service of Songs. This will be followed by his interment on Friday afternoon.
The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, have arrived in Abuja in preparation for his final interment.
His body arrived at Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport at precisely 12:16 pm.
The funeral services are scheduled to commence on Thursday with a Service of Songs. This will be followed by his interment on Friday afternoon.
According to the Director of Army Public Relations, Maj Gen Onyema Nwachukwu, Lagbaja will be buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Friday.
The body of the late Lagbaja was received in Abuja with a guard of honour on Thursday, as Nigeria’s military top brass paid their respects.
Born on February 28, 1968, Lt Gen Lagbaja served as Chief of Army Staff for one year and four months, following his appointment by President Tinubu in June 2023.
His military career began in 1987 at the Nigerian Defence Academy, and he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps on September 19, 1992.
Throughout his service, Lagbaja commanded operations that were vital to national security, including Operation Zaki in Benue, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in the Southeast, and Operation Forest Sanity in Kaduna and Niger states.
He was an alumnus of the U.S. Army War College. A holder Master’s degree in Strategic Studies.
Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and two children.
