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 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.
Breaking: Military Aircraft crashes near Abuja airport
Earlier on
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in an air crash today while on an official trip to Kaduna.
A recent tweet by the Nigerian Airforce confirms that there was an air crash involving its aircraft near Kaduna International Airport.
Lt. General Attahiru was appointed on 26 January 2021. Having previously saved with distinction in the war against Boko Haram, his elevation was greeted with celebrations in the northeast.
An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon.
Edward Gabkwet
Air Commodore
Director of Public Relations and Information
21/5/21 pic.twitter.com/N01V2M6qUc— Nigerian Air Force (@NigAirForce) May 21, 2021
Who was Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru?
Until his death, Lt. Gen. Attahiru Ibrahim was a Nigerian Army Lieutenant General who served as the 21st Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army.
Born on August 1966 in Doka Kaduna North Central, he had his education in the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command & Staff College Jaji, as well as Nigerian Army School of Infantry and was in active service from 1984 – 2021.
Prior to his appointment as the Chief Of Army Staff, he was the commanding officer of 146 Battalion Nigerian Army operation (Operation Harmony 4) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General officer commanding 8 Divison Nigerian Army.
He was also a theatre commander of Operation Lafiya Dole, the counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Outfit in the North Eastern Part of the country.
He was also highly decorated with a United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) medal, ECOMOG medal, Forces service star, a meritorious service star, Field command medal, amongst others.
