…Tributes pour in for victims
…As Navy cancels 65th-anniversary celebrations
The Nigerian Army, yesterday laid to rest the Late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Ibrahim Attahiru, and six other senior officers in Abuja.
The Late COAS, alongside other senior officers involved in the ill-fated crash, died in an air crash on Friday, while on an official trip in Kaduna State.
Senior officers arrived at the National Mosque ahead of the funeral prayers.
The remains of the five Air Force officers were then taken to the Protestant Church, Air Force Base, Abuja while those of the Late Attahiru and other Muslim officers were taken to the National Mosque in Abuja, where funeral services and prayers were offered for them.
The internment took place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
An avalanche of tributes was paid to the former COAS and ten other victims of Friday’s plane crash. President Buhari described the military officers as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land”.
Vice-President, Yemi Osinbajo, in his tribute, noted that the death of Lt.-Gen. Attahiru and others shows the depth of sacrifice of the military.
In a related development, the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice-Admiral Awwal Gambo, has directed the cancellation of events slated to mark the 65th anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.
This was contained in a statement issued by the spokesperson for the Nigerian Navy, Commodore Suleman Dahun, yesterday.
Dahun said that the decision followed the sad demise of the COAS and some senior officers in the air crash of Friday.
