The newly appointed Nigeria’s chief of army staff Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in an air crash while on an official trip to Kaduna State, multiple media sources reported Friday.
Attahiru was appointed in January by the Nigerian President, Major General Muhammadu Buhari.
He is said to be among the casualties. He was apparently were on his way to Kaduna ahead of Saturday passing out parade of soldiers from the Nigerian Army depot, Zaria.
While the Nigerian Army is yet to make any official statement on Attahiru’s death, Nigerian Air Force however confirmed one of its aircraft crashed on Friday near Kaduna International Airport.
“The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained,” Air Force spokesman Edward Gabkwet said.
“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
Further report confirmed a military Beachcraft 350 aircraft crashed at the Kaduna International Airport on Friday, claiming all eight souls onboard including the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.
It was learnt that the ill-fated aircraft crashed at the airport’s runway about 6 pm.
Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer of the Accident Investigation Bureau, Nigeria, Akin Olateru, confirmed that the eight souls died onboard.
“Beachcraft 350. 8 souls on board. Unfortunately all dead,” Olateru wrote in a WhatsApp note.
Later, the Nigerian Army confirmed the deadly crash that claimed the lives of all the occupants.
The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021
Also, the Nigerian President Ina tweet said:
Deeply saddened by the air crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. All of them are heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 21, 2021
Also, the defense minister, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other security chiefs brief the presidency on the tragic plane crash.
Tonight: At the State House, President @MBuhari receives a briefing from Defence Minister, Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and other security chiefs on the tragic plane crash which led to the death of the Chief of @HQNigerianArmy Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and others. pic.twitter.com/9fKTXyrHXn
— Presidency Nigeria (@NGRPresident) May 21, 2021
Full list of the affected people:
COAS ENTOURAGE
1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU.
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA.
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA.
5. MAJ LA HAYAT.
6. MAJ HAMZA.
7. SGT UMAR.
CREW
8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
10. SGT ADESINA.
11. ACM OYEDEPO.
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