…President Buhari expresses shock, sorrow
The Nigerian Army yesterday announced the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
According to a brief statement it posted on its official Twitter handle, the sad event occurred following a military Beachcraft 350 aircraft crash in Kaduna, which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
It was learnt that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm. The Nigerian Air Force had also confirmed that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not provide details.
At least 17 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets.
Recall that on Sunday, February 21, seven NAF officers died on board a Beechcraft aircraft when the jet crashed in Abuja.
In a swift reaction, President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday said he is deeply saddened over the air crash.
According to a press statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser (Media and Publicity), Femi Adesina, 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 said 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”.
The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.
