Recall, Oluyede was appointed by President Bola Tinubu on 30 October in an acting capacity following the death of his predecessor, Taoreed Lagbaja.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, had on 1 November handed him the insignia of office in an unusual ceremony, in line with the Armed Forces Act.

The symbolic lowering and hoisting of the command flag, which signifies the beginning of his tenure, came after the Senate and House of Representatives confirmed his appointment.

Read Also: Tinubu asks Senate to confirm Oluyede as COAS

Until his appointment, Oluyede served as the 56th Commander of the elite Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, based in Jaji, Kaduna.

The 56-year-old Oluyede and Lagbaja were coursemates and members of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1992, effective from 1987, and rose to Major General in September 2020.

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On October 20, the army dismissed rumours that Lagbaja had passed on, adding that the army chief was undergoing medical treatment abroad. 

On October 30, Tinubu appointed Olufemi Oluyede as the acting COAS. Oluyede was decorated with a new rank of lieutenant-general on the 5th November, 2024.

In a statement on November 6, Bayo Onanuga, special adviser on information and strategy to the president, said Lagbaja “passed away on Tuesday night in Lagos after a period of illness”.

“Born on February 28, 1968, Lt. General Lagbaja was appointed Chief of Army Staff on June 19, 2023, by President Tinubu,” the statement reads.

“His distinguished military career began when he enrolled in the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987.

“On September 19, 1992, he was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Infantry Corps as a member of the 39th Regular Course.

“Throughout his service, Lt. General Lagbaja demonstrated exceptional leadership and commitment, serving as a platoon commander in the 93 Battalion and the 72 Special Forces Battalion.

“He played pivotal roles in numerous internal security operations, including Operation ZAKI in Benue State, Lafiya Dole in Borno, Udoka in Southeast Nigeria, and Operation Forest Sanity across Kaduna and Niger States.

“An alumnus of the prestigious U.S. Army War College, he earned a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies, demonstrating his dedication to professional growth and excellence in military leadership.

“Lt. General Lagbaja is survived by his beloved wife, Mariya, and their two children. President Tinubu expresses his heartfelt condolences to the family and the Nigerian Armed Forces during this difficult time.

“The president wishes Lt. General Lagbaja eternal peace and honours his significant contributions to the nation.”

Source: The Cable

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