. Says burial arrangements already on-going
The Nigerian Army headquarters has opened up on the death of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff.
In a statement released by Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director Army Public Relations, the funeral arrangement for the late Chief of Army Staff was already ongoing.
The Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru died in a plane crash on Friday,
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 incident happened.
“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon,” a statement from the Army headquarters reads.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Lucky Irabor, has directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.
In a statement released on Friday by Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, Acting Director Defence Information, General Irabor described the death of Attahiru as unfortunate.
The statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that this evening (yesterday} 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 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 combatting 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.
“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.”
