Nigeria’s former chief of defence staff, Ibrahim Ogohi, has died.
According to his family, Ogohi died on Sunday morning in Abuja.
A prayer session will be held later today at the national mosque in the federal capital territory (FCT) before his burial. His family plans to travel to Okura-Lafia, his hometown in Dekina Local Government Area of Kogi State, for the final rites.
Ogohi served as the chief of defence staff from 1999 to 2003, marking significant milestones in Nigerian military history. He was the first naval officer to attain a four-star rank and the first to become the chief of defence staff from the navy.
His military career began in 1968 when he joined the Nigeria Defence Academy (NDA). He received extensive training in India, the UK, France, and the US. Ogohi’s early roles included watchkeeping duties on the Nigeria Navy Ship (NNS) Enugu and later as a gunnery and navigation officer in Ibadan from 1972 to 1973.
1976, he became the laboratory officer at the naval armament depot in Kirikiri, and from 1977 to 1978, he served as an executive officer at NNS Akaso in Port Harcourt. His leadership roles continued as he became the commanding officer of NNS Eken in France in 1982 and the commanding officer of the NDA’s naval wing from 1986 to 1987.
Ogohi also held the position of director administrator at the NDA and later served as the chief of plans at naval headquarters. His career culminated with his role as the flag officer commanding the western naval command.
The nation mourns the loss of a distinguished military leader whose contributions to the Nigerian Navy and the country’s defense framework remain significant.
