The Nigerian Army and the Prayer and Support for the Nigerian Armed Forces and other Security Agencies (PSNAFSA) have called for renewed commitment to tackling insecurity and supporting military personnel as they honoured former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja.

The call was made on Saturday during the second memorial service for the late military chief at the Maria Lagbaja Event Centre, TA Lagbaja Cantonment, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event attracted military and paramilitary officers, members of civil society organisations, relatives, friends and other guests. Palliatives were also distributed to widows of soldiers who died in active service.

Speaking on behalf of the General Officer Commanding, 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, the Commander of the 81 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Ahmed Getso, described Lagbaja as a distinguished soldier and patriot whose career reflected courage, professionalism and dedication to national service.

Babalola recalled that Lagbaja was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987 as a member of the 39th Regular Course and commissioned into the Nigerian Army Infantry Corps in 1992.

He said the late general held several command, staff and instructional positions before his appointment as Chief of Army Staff in June 2023.

According to him, Lagbaja worked to strengthen the Army's operational capacity, improve professionalism and personnel welfare, and sustain military operations against insecurity.

The Commander of 9 Brigade, Brigadier General Ayokunle Owolabi, said the memorial provided an opportunity for serving officers to reflect on Lagbaja's career and uphold the values he represented.

He highlighted the late general's involvement in internal security operations, including Operations Zaki, Lafiya Dole, Udoka and Forest Sanity, urging soldiers to maintain discipline, loyalty, professionalism and operational readiness.

Owolabi also stressed the need for sustained assistance to families of fallen soldiers, noting that their sacrifices and losses deserved continued recognition and support.

The convener of PSNAFSA, Ambassador Mary Abayomi-Fatile, described Lagbaja as a father figure who placed the nation's interests above personal considerations.

She said the organisation chose to honour him because of his commitment to the military and the country, expressing hope that his values would continue to inspire serving personnel.

Fatile also called for lasting peace across Nigeria, urging that the sacrifices made by the late Army Chief and other military personnel should contribute to a more secure country.

The ceremony featured prayers for Lagbaja and other fallen heroes, alongside the presentation of support materials to their widows.

Lagbaja, who was appointed Nigeria's 27th Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu in June 2023, died in Lagos on November 5, 2024, at the age of 56. He was succeeded by Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede.