Nigerian Army Confirms Death Of COAS Attahiru Ibrahim

Chinedu Ugo 5 years ago 2 min read

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru. Late Lieutenant General Ibrahim and 10 other top military chiefs were involved in a plane crash on Friday, May 21, 2021. Reports suggests that the crash occurred as a result of ‘’inclement weather,’’ while the aircraft was landing at the Kaduna International Airport.

The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021

Information released from the Nigerian Army state that the crashed plane was enroute Kaduna from Abuja.

The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened.

Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon.

Mohammed Yerima
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
21 May 2021
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021

The late military boss was only appointed to the top post by President Muhammadu Buhari in January in a bid to shake-up the country’s command and boast the fight against the Boko Haram insurgency.

Reacting to the death of Lieutenant Ibrahim, President Muhammadu Buhari described it as ‘’one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country”.

Deeply saddened by the air crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. All of them are heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 21, 2021

This crash is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our Armed Forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country. My condolences to the families of the deceased, the entire military, and all Nigerians. The deaths of these officers will not be in vain!
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 21, 2021

The US through its diplomatic mission in Nigeria noted via a tweet that the Army Chief’s death is “a tremendous loss to Nigeria. We join Nigerians in mourning the tragic loss of life from today’s plane crash.’’

We join Nigerians in mourning the tragic loss of life from today's plane crash. The death of the Chief of @HQNigerianArmy Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru is a tremendous loss to Nigeria, and his loved ones.

(1/2) pic.twitter.com/vIYSqOCpt4
— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) May 21, 2021

During this difficult time across Nigeria when security and peace is so needed, we offer our deepest sympathy to the family of General Attahiru and to the families of all those who perished.

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— U.S. Mission Nigeria (@USinNigeria) May 21, 2021

Sources

Aljazeera

Twitter @HQNigerianArmy

Twitter@MBuhari

Twitter @USinNigeria

Featured Image Source: National Accord Newspaper

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