Governor Otti mourns late Nigeria’s chief of Army Staff, describes his death as shocking

Stephanie Clems, Umuahia

The Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, OFR, has expressed sadness over the news of the death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Abiodun Lagbaja, whose death was announced by the President and Commander-In-Chief of the Armed Forces of Federal Republic of Nigeria, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR on Wednesday.

Governor Otti described General Lagbaja’s death at 56 as shocking and untimely and expressed sorrow that he passed away at a time his services to the nation were most needed.

The Abia Chief Executive recalled the very close personal relationship with Lagbaja and the cordial relationship that existed between his government, the late Army Chief and the military command under his watch.

He noted that the relationship yielded very positive results in ensuring peace and security in Abia and prayed that God would grant his soul eternal rest in his bosom.

The governor also encouraged his family to bear the loss.

In a press statement by the Special Adviser to the governor on media and publicity, Mr Ferdinand Ekeoma, Governor Otti, on behalf of the government and people of Abia State, sent his sincere condolences to the President of the nation, the Ag. Chief of Army Staff, Major General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede and the Nigerian army as a whole.