Previously serving as the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of 1 Division in Kaduna, Major General Taoree Lagbaja has now been redeployed to the Army Headquarters as the Chief of Operations (DAOP). Major General Lagbaja has earned a reputation as a fearless and courageous military commander, with numerous successes in combating bandits, cattle rustlers, and terrorists in the North West states, particularly Kaduna, Niger, and Kebbi.
Born on February 28, 1968, in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, Osun State, Major General Lagbaja is a qualified Special Forces Officer with expertise in airborne and amphibious operations. He joined the Nigerian Defence Academy on September 12, 1987, as a member of the 39th Regular Course and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on September 19, 1992, in the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps.
Major General Lagbaja has been recognized with several awards and decorations, including the Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Passed Staff Course (+), Fellows United States Army War College, Command Medal, Field Command Medal, Field Command Medal of Honour, General Operations Medal, Operation Harmony Medal, United Nations Peacekeeping Operation Medal, and Operation LAFIYA DOLE Medal.
His educational qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in Geography from the Nigerian Defence Academy (2001) and a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College (2014). Throughout his career, he has participated in various military operations such as Operation HARMONY IV in the Bakassi Peninsula, the United Nations Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC), Operation ZAKI, Internal Security Operations in Benue State, Operation LAFIYA DOLE, Operation MESA/Operation UDO KA (Internal Security Operations in the South East Zone of Nigeria), and Operation FOREST SANITY (Internal Security Operations in Kaduna and Niger States).
Major General Lagbaja is married to Mrs. Mariya Abiodun-Lagbaja, and they have been blessed with two children. His hobbies include watching documentaries and reading biographies.
