Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru

The Nigerian Army has announced that its Chief, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others, died in an ill-fated Nigerian Air Force plane near Kaduna International Airport on Friday.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, made the announcement in a statement titled, ‘Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru, dies in air crash’.
However, Yerima did not disclose the names of the other victims.
He added that the plane was en route Kaduna from Abuja when the crash happened.
The statement read, “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
“The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
“The COAS was en route Kaduna from Abuja on May 21, when the unfortunate incident happened.

“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon.”
Also, the Nigerian Air Force had confirmed that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not provide details.
“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,” the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.
The President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.), on Tuesday, January 26, 2021, appointed the late Attahiru as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff.
Attahiru replaced Major General Tukur Buratai, who served in the position for five years.
The late COAS was appointed alongside Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
He resumed office as the new Chief of Army Staff on Thursday, January 28.

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