By Asuquo Cletus
The Inspector General of Police Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has directed police officers to wear black band across the country.
This is coming, following the demise of the late chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
In a Press statement issued on Thursday by the Force Public Relations Officer ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi, it disclosed that the directive is to pay tribute to the late General for his service to the country.
It reads “Following the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force to wear black band throughout the 7 day mourning period.
“This directive is to pay tribute and honour the late General who has shown gallantry, dedication, and passion for fighting violent crimes and insurgency in Nigeria. He was a great leader who deserves to be honoured by all means.”
Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja died after a period of illness aged 56, he died on Tuesday night in Lagos. The exact details of his illness were not made public.
Gen Lagbaja was appointed to the position in June 2023, not long after President Tinubu took office.
He also participated in a United Nation peacekeeping mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2003.
Before joining the army, Gen Lagbaja attended a teachers’ college in Osogbo. He went onto join the Nigerian Defence Academy in 1987, starting his military career.
He later obtained an Msc in Strategic Studies from the US Army War College in Pennsylvania.
Gen Lagbaja is survived by his wife, Mariya, and their two children.
