The Defence Headquarters has directed an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate Kaduna air mishap which claimed the life of Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru.
The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, in a condolence message signed by the acting Director, Defence Information Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, also confirmed that no fewer than 11 persons lost their lives in the tragedy.
He noted that the Attahiru and others were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, explaining that they had landed before the ”inclement weather” caused the incident.
- How Chief of Army Staff, 10 others died in plane crash
- Tell Nigerians how you squandered N10trn security allocation, PDP challenges Buhari
The statement read, ”It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that this evening at about 1800 Hours, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in company of his entourage, who were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, were involved in an air mishap.
”The unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has therefore directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident”.
Irabor added that despite the death of Attahiru and other armed forces personnel, troops combatting various security challenges would remain resolute, urging families of the deceased to take heart and be condoled on the tragic loss.
”As we pray for the repose of the souls of our gallant and committed Chief of Army Staff and other personnel on board with him, the AFN solicits the support and understanding of all Nigerians in the face of this tragic incident.
”We wish to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combatting the security challenges bedeviling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain,” the CDS added.
Meanwhile the Burial proceedings of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS) and 6 other senior officers has been slated for Saturday in Abuja.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Yerima, said the event would commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 10am respectively.
Yerima said that the interment for the late COAS and 6 other senior officers would take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja by 1pm
