BEVERLY HILLS, May 22, (THEWILL) – The Nigerian Army on Friday officially affirmed the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, in a plane crash that took the lives of 10 other officers including the crew as well.
Attahiru and his entourage were on an official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, when the unfortunate incident occurred, Army spokesman, Brig Gen Mohammed Yerima, said in a statement.
THEWILL reports that Kaduna International Airport is about 161 kilometres from the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, and it is the closest to the Federal Capital, with a flying time of roughly 43 minutes. It takes about 2-3 hours by road to cover the distance of about 187 kilometres and 2 hours 15 minutes by train.
THEWILL reports that the late COAS along with 10 others, died in the Thursday air crash at the Kaduna International Airport.
A list of the victims include the: CoAS, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru; Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir; Brig Gen Olayinka; Brig Gen Kuliya; Major Lawal Hayat (ADC to Attahiru); Major Nura Hamza; Sgt Saidu Umar Dass
Others but crew members included, Flt Lt TO Asaniyi; Flt Lt AA Olufade; Sgt Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, has called for an investigation into the fatal air crash. He said that the Accident Investigation Board is expected to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate air accident.
The Acting Director, Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who disclosed this in a statement in Abuja, said: “The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) 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.”
Irabor, however, urged all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on the tragic loss.
He also reassured all Nigerians of the commitment and loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the constitution and government in the discharge of its responsibilities
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