President Muhammadu Buhari was absent at the burial ceremony of his Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, drawing condemnation from Nigerians who questioned his absence from critical national occasions and his perceived lack of empathy.
Mr Attahiru, a lieutenant general, and 10 other officers were laid to rest at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on Saturday, a day after they died in a military plane crash.
They died in the crash that occurred in Kaduna on Friday while on official assignment to Zaria in Kaduna State.
They were travelling to the Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria for the passing out parade of regular recruits slated for Saturday.
It was the third military air disaster this year and the army posted videos on social networks of the service attended by top political and military leaders at the national mosque.
The religious services for the deceased were organised by the military.
The Islamic funeral service was held at the National Mosque, Abuja for the late army chief and five others who were Muslims while the Christian funeral services burial rites were held at the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, Abuja for the officers who were Christians.
After the religious services, the bodies of the dead officers were taken to the National Military Cemetery along Airport Road for internment.
Family members, friends, colleagues and sympathisers wept uncontrollably as their remains were lowered into the graves.
