Tobias Sylvester
President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a plane crash in Kaduna State.
KanyiDaily had reported how Attahiru died along other military officers in a plane crash while on an official trip to Kaduna on Friday, May 21, 2021.
In a statement by its spokesperson, Mohammed Yerima, on Friday, the army said 10 officers and crew members were also killed in the fatal crash, adding that details of the death would be announced in due course.
“The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru . The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
“The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened.
“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon,” the Army spokesperson stated.
Reacting in a statement by the presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, President Buhari described the incident as a “mortal blow” to the country.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers,” the statement reads.
“The President condoles with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as ‘heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.’
“While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash ‘is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country. The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.”
KanyiDaily recalls that President Buhari had on January 26, 2021 appointed Attahiru to succeeded Lt-Gen. Tukur Buratai as the Chief of Army Staff.
