By Ayodele Oni
The Nigerian Armed Forces has revealed that the Air Force Aircraft which crashed and killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and ten others crashed on landing the Kauna Airport in bad weather.
Attahiru and other officers on his entourage were in Kaduna for an official engagement in Kaduna.
But the aircraft crashed in bad weather.
A statement issued late Friday by the Acting Director of Defence Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, described the loss as tragic.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor, has already set-up an Accident Investigation Board to look into the very tragic incident.
Nwachukwu’s statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that this evening 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 unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather. 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.”
In another development, President Mohammadu Buhari has expressed shock at the sudden death of the Army Chief and the ten other officers.
A statement issued by his spokesman Femi Adesina, quoted the President to have pledged that the Army Chief and the other officers would not die in vain.
“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.”
Attahiru and the other departed souls will be buried today, Saturday, May 22, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
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