Key facts about New Chief of Army Staff...... Who is Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja?

Until his latest appointment, General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja was the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Kaduna. 

As the GOC of Division 1, General Lagbaja led troops in the battle against deadly bandits and terrorists in Kaduna, Niger, Kebbi, and other North West states.

Lagbaja also served as Chief of Operation, Army Headquarters, Abuja. 

The new COAS is from Ilobu, a town which is the administrative headquarters of Irepodun local government area of Osun state, Southwest Nigeria. 

Until Monday night’s appointment of Lagbaja as Chief of Army Staff, the last time the post was occupied by a Southwesterner was in 1979 for just six months — by General Ipoola Alani Akinrinade. Meaning, he is the first COAS of southwest extraction in 43 years. 

Lagbaja is the 23rd chief of army staff of Nigeria. 

In the chain of command, the Chief of Army Staff reports to the Chief of Defence Staff, who in turn, reports to the Defence Minister, accountable to the President, The Punch reported. 

The statutory duty of the officer is to formulate and execute policies towards the highest attainment of national security and operational competence of the Nigerian Army.