By Adesina Soyooye
The Nigerian Army is mourning its former Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Major General Mohammed Chris Alli.
Alli, who died on Sunday, October 19, 2023, at the Military Hospital, Lagos, was the COAS between 1993 and 1994, under the Military Regime of General Sani Abacha.
Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, current Chief of Army Staff, expressed the sadness of the Nigerian Army over the passing of Alli, in a condolence message he conveyed to the former COAS’s family.
Lagbaja’s condolence message was contained in a statement signed on his behalf by the Director of Army Public Relations, Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, posted on the Army’s verified X account.
The statement reads in part: “Born on December 25, 1944, in Korton Karfe, Kogi State, General Chris Alli commenced his journey in the Nigerian Army on October 20, 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course.
“Throughout his career, he served diligently in diverse roles, including Staff Instructional and Command. At one point, he held the position of Military Administrator of Plateau State. Major General Alli (retd), a revered Senior Officer, served the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the Nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time.
“His commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently as he rose through the ranks to become the Director, Military Intelligence (DMI), amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his Military career as the 19th COAS in November, 1993, until his meritorious retirement from active service in August 1994.
“The COAS, Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time.”
Major General Chris Alli was aged 78 years, a few weeks to his 79th birthday when he died.
