The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru will be buried in Kaduna Military Cemetery today, Saturday, May 22, 2021 according to Muslim rites, even as the Defence Headquarters, (DHQ), says Saturday morning that it has instituted an enquiry into the Friday’ plane crash at the Kaduna International Airport that killed the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others,
Aged 54, Lt Gen Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff on January 27, 2021 following the retirement of his predecessor, Lt Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai.
The Chief of Army Staff was with Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir, Brig Gen Olayinka, Brig Gen Kuliya, Maj LA Hayat Maj Hamza and Sgt Umar in the ill-fated military aircraft. Others in the plane were the crew members which included: Flt Lt TO Asaniyi, Flt Lt AA Olufade, Sgt Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS), Lucky Irabor, while regretting the unfortunate death of his officers, however stated that their death would not derail the focus in the ongoing efforts to restore normalcy in the country’s security space.
Irabor who spoke through Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Defence Information, (DDI), maintained that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN), was in deep sorrow over the losses but would not allow their death to be in vain.
His word, “It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that in the evening Friday at about 1800 Hours, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in company of his entourage, who were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, were involved in an air mishap.
“The unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather.
“The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has therefore directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.
“As we pray for the repose of the souls of our gallant and committed Chief of Army Staff and other personnel on board with him, the AFN solicits the support and understanding of all Nigerians in the face of this tragic incident.
“We wish to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combating the security challenges bedeviling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain.
“Meanwhile, the CDS urges all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on this tragic loss”.
According to him, “The CDS also reassures all Nigerians of the commitment and loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as it continues to carry out its responsibilities”.
Uche Nwosu is a two time Shell Petroleum PLC award winner in the year 2000;
He won the Shell Award on Investigative Journalism and Environmental Cleanliness.
