By Umar Kaltungo
The Gombe State governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, earlier today paid a condolence visit to the family of the Late Chief of Army Staff, (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in an ill-fated plane crash along with other senior military officers and crew members in Kaduna last Friday.
Governor Yahaya, who was accompanied by the State’s Commissioner of Energy and Mineral Resources, Alh. Shehu Ibrahim Madugu, Special Adviser, Abuja Liaison, Hon. Usman Aliyu Garry and other aides, was received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear-Admiral Awwal Zubairu Gambo at the official residence of the Late Army chief in Niger Barracks, Abuja.
Consoling the wife of the deceased’s COAS, Fatima Attahiru and other members of the family, Governor Yahaya described the death of the Late Lt.-Gen. Attahiru as heartbreaking, especially to his immediate family and associates, as well as a monumental loss to the entire nation.
He consoled Mrs. Attahiru and other members of the bereaved family, and urged the family to “take solace in the fact that all mortals shall taste death and we must answer the call of Almighty Allah at one point in time or another”. He prayed to Almighty Allah to accept the souls of the departed heroes and grant them eternal rest.
The Governor also used the occasion to commiserate with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Muhammadu Buhari, over the unfortunate death of the Chief of Army Staff and other senior military officers.
Governor Inuwa had, in a statement, described the Late Chief of Army Staff as a gallant officer and fine gentleman, who demonstrated courage and exemplary leadership while discharging his duties.
He noted that the Late army helmsman was at the forefront in leading the fight against insurgency, banditry and other forms of threats since assuming office, with renewed vigour to bring enduring peace to the troubled parts of the country and defend the territorial integrity of Nigeria, adding that the officer’s gallantry and heroism will be sorely missed, especially at this trying moment in the history of the nation.
