The United Kingdom, President Muhammadu Buhari and other national leaders are mourning the death of Nigeria’s late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and the six other senior Nigerian Army officers who died in the air crash of a Nigerian Air Force (NAF) transport aircraft on Friday evening.
Meanwhile, the remains of General Attahiru and the six others will be buried on Saturday at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
The British High Commissioner to Nigeria, Ms Catriona Laing, said in a tweet late Friday night
@CatrionaLaing1: “Profoundly shocked & saddened by this terrible news. Our deepest condolences to the family & friends of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and all who so tragically lost their lives. I have sent condolence messages to @CDS_Nig
Chief of Staff to @MBuhari.”
President Buhari also tweeted on Friday night: “Deeply saddened by the air crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. All of them are heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.
“This crash is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our Armed Forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country. My condolences to the families of the deceased, the entire military, and all Nigerians. The deaths of these officers will not be in vain!”
Along with General Attahiru aboard the aircraft was Brigadier General Abdulkadir his Principal General Staff Officer (PGSO), Brigadier General Olayinka (Provost Marshal, Army), Brigadier General Kuliya (Director of Military Intelligence – DMI, Majors LA HAYAT and HAMZA, (security aides) Sargent GT Umar, (Orderly).
Among the crew were Flight Lieutenants TO Asaniyi and AA Olufade (Pilots), Sergeant Adesina and Aircraftman (ACM) Oyedepo.
Others who has issued public statement on the death of General Attahiru and other victims of the Kaduna air crash include Senate President, Ahmed Lawan and Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila.