Buhari Didn’t Attend Late COAS Attahiru’s Burial Because Of Security Clearance – Presidency

The Presidency has explained why President Muhammad Buhari didn’t attend the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other officers in Abuja on Saturday.

KanyiDaily recalls that many Nigerians including a former presidential aspirant, Adamu Garba had criticized President Buhari for not attending the burial ceremony of late Attahiru, who died in a plane crash on Friday evening in Kaduna.

Reacting on her Twitter page, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, explained that Buhari needed at least 48-hour security clearance to attend any funeral or event outside the Villa.

“For a President to be at any funeral or event outside the Presidential Villa, the event must have at least 48 hours for intelligence operatives to do surveillance and clearance before the President can go based on the Security report.

“In a case where the COAS and his team died yesterday and had to be buried today, you don’t expect the President to go there where there is no security clearance.

“The minimum time of 48 hours wasn’t met. In insecurity parlance, funeral ceremonies are where politically exposed persons face more risks.

“Security issues and securing the President are not done by emotions or sentiments. There’re laid down procedures that must be followed. Be enlightened.”

 

Meanwhile, President Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Ibrahim Attahiru, describing the incident as a “mortal blow” to the country.

KanyiDaily recalls that President Buhari had on January 26, 2021 appointed Attahiru to succeeded Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.