Oba Ashiru Olaniyan, the traditional ruler of Ilobuland in Osun State, the hometown of late Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, and the people of the town have stated their preferred burial place for the late Chief of Army Staff.
A News Agency of Nigeria correspondent, who was in the town on Wednesday, reports that the whole area looked unusually calm.
At the palace of Oba Olaniyan, he appealed to the Nigerian Army and the Federal Government to allow the community to bury the late COAS in the community.
He said it would be a great honour if the Army would grant the community’s request to bury the deceased in his ancestral home.
The traditional, who was seen in a mourning mood when the NAN correspondent visited his palace in Ilobu, directed the National President of the Ilobu-Asake Development Union, Oluremi Salako, to speak on his behalf.
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He said that the town was planning its annual “Ilobu 2024 Day” on Saturday before the sad news of Lagabaja’s death filtered in.
He said that in the last couple of weeks, the town had engaged in prayers for Lagbaja to get well, having learnt of his health challenges.
Oba Olaniyan said: “We were high in hope and confident about his quick recovery.
“Waking up this morning to the news of his death was a rude shock to the entire community.
“We are downcast and in sorrow.
“He is not just the son of the soil, but one of the shinning stars of the entire Yoruba race.
“If you go round the community, you will see a community that is in deep sorrow.
“Ilobu is a very happy town, but this morning, the sun suddenly snatched away from our sky.”
Oba Olaniyan also said that the IDU executives had an emergency meeting, where they decided that Ilobu Day celebration be suspended indefinitely.
Also speaking, Tajudeen Lagbaja, the head of Lagabaja’s family, appealed for the body of the deceased to be brought to the town for burial.
He said: “Lagabaja’s death is like a dagger in my heart and it feels like it snuffed life out of me.
“He was like a son to me.
“He is Taoreed and my son too is also named Taoreed.
“He used to call me uncle and always assured me that he will attend to my needs, but now he is gone.”
The senior Lagbaja said that they took solace in the fact that death is inevitable and that Lagabaja’s death was the will of God
He added: “His death is painful to us.
“We have lost so many people in the town before, but Lagbaja’s death is the hardest and saddest.
“We the family, however, appeal to the Nigerian Army and Federal Government not to bury him in Abuja, but here in his hometown.”
NAN reports that the COAS, who was born on February 28, 1968, died on Tuesday night in Lagos.
He was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Bola Tinubu on June 19, 2023.
He hailed from Ilobu in Irepodun Local Government Area of Osun State.
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