KADUNA PLANE CRASH: Buhari, Marwa, Sanwo Olu ,VIPs Mourn  COAS ,Others

President Muhammadu Buhari , Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo Olu, Chief Executive Officer of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) and other governors from the Federal Republic of Nigeria , have expressed shock over the death involving Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, alongside military officers.

 

 

 

While commiserating with the families,the President was deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

 

Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President, Media and Publicity in a statement on Friday said the President condoled 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 says 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.

On his part,  Chairman  NDLEA, Brig. General Mohamed Buba Marwa (Retd) has described the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and other senior officers in a military plane crash in Kaduna on Friday as a great loss to the country.

 

Marwa, who sent his condolence message from Vienna, Austria where he is attending a meeting of the United Nations Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice, recalled his recent meeting with Gen. Attahiru, saying that he was impressed with the late Army Chiefs plans for tackling the security challenges confronting the country.

 

Femi Babafemi, Director, Media & Advocacy, NDLEA Headquarters, in a statement on Saturday 22nd May, 2021, quoted Marwa saying,”The nation will miss Gen. Attahiru and the other gallant officers who died in active service.

 

” I recall my recent meeting with him at the Army Headquarters where I was impressed with his patriotism and plans for tackling the myriad security challenges facing our country. This is a great loss for Nigeria.

 

“Our condolences go to his family, the Nigerian Army and also to the families of the other gallant officers and men in his entourage as well as the flight crew who died in the crash. May their souls rest in peace, the NDLEA boss stated.”

Also the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu,  commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari and the Nigerian Army over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu also sympathised with families, friends and associates of the late Chief of Army Staff and other victims of the unfortunate crash.

 

The Governor described the 21st Chief of Army Staff as a dutiful and committed soldier, who served Nigeria passionately.

 

He praised the late General Attahiru’s contributions in Nigeria’s efforts to end the war against insurgency, saying the country would miss the rich experience and knowledge of the late Army General.

 

“On behalf of the Government and people of Lagos State, I want to express my heartfelt condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, Vice President, Prof Yemi Osinbajo, the Nigerian Army, families, friends and associates of the late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers who were involved in the unfortunate air crash.

 

“The late Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru will be sorely missed by Nigerians, especially at this period when the country is intensifying the fight against insurgency and other criminal elements in different parts of the country.

 

Governor Sanwo-Olu prayed that God would grant the deceased eternal rest and grant the families they left behind the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable losses.

 

Rivers State Governor , Nyesom Wike said ” It is with profound sadness that I convey the deepest condolences of the Government and people of Rivers State to the Nigerian Armed Forces and bereaved families of Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and other military personnel on board the ill fated aircraft.

 

“We feel deeply saddened by the colossal loss of these patriotic and thoroughbred officers who sacrificed their lives to make our nation safe. Our thoughts are with the Nigerian Armed Forces and affected families in this hour of grief.

 

“May God grant courage and strength to the Armed Forces and bereaved families to bear this irreparable loss with fortitude.”

 

While speaking on behalf of his party, Chairman, PDP Governors’ Forum and Sokoto State Governor , Aminu Tambuwal described the late Military top brass  as a gallant warrior.

 

Tambuwal said “The PDP GOVERNORS FORUM mourns the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Attahiru Ibrahim and some other members of the Armed Forces in an unfortunate aircraft crash on Friday in Kaduna State.

 

“It is most painful that this tragedy is coming at a time the Army Chief is leading the war against insecurity in the land having just recently taken command of the Nigerian Army.

 

“This is a very sad loss and a huge blow to our nation and her effort to secure the nation.

 

“General Attahiru served the nation with dedication, skill, gallantry,  and total commitment, employing his long years of experience and expertise in the service of our fatherland.

 

“May his soul and those of his colleagues who died in the aircraft rest in peace  and may God forgive them their sins as death is inevitable for all mortals.

 

“We condole Mr President, Muhammadu Buhari, the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces, the Nigerian Army. the entire Armed Forces, and Nigeria for this sudden and irreparable loss.

 

“We admonish the Military and all security Agencies to redouble their efforts to vanquish insecurity in Nigeria as a fitting tribute to the departed Chief, as we pledge our continued support to the Nigerian Armed Forces and Security Agencies.

 

 

Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, condoles with President Muhammadu Buhari; family and friends of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and those of other officers and men who died in the ill-fated plane crash that claimed 11 military officers on Friday.

 

According to a statement E-signed by Kunle Somorin, Chief Press Secretary to Gov. Dapo Abiodun on Saturday, May 22, 2021, said

Governor Abiodun lamented that these accomplished officers died while their services were most needed in the nation’s search for peace and security.

 

“Notwithstanding their young ages, they served meritoriously in the military and their untimely exit is very painful”, he said.

 

The governor commiserated with the Defence headquarters, other service chiefs and all officers and men of the Armed Forces, saying that losing an army chief appointed only four months ago is devastating.

 

He added that the greatest tribute to the memory of the departed would be to win the war against insurgency and insecurity in the country, urging all to find comfort in the good works of the gallant officers.

 

“Lt-Gen. Attahiru stood firm in defence of the country’s indivisibility. Nigeria will remember him as one officer who held unto its indivisibility until he breathed his last.

 

“Well decorated, level-headed, the deceased was a thoroughbred officer and gentleman who led from the front, and will be sorely missed,” he said.

 

Governor Abiodun prayed that the Almighty God receives the souls of the departed, and comforts their families.

 

 

 

 

 

Meanwhile, Governor of Borno Professor Babagana Zulum, stated that Late Attahiru was determined to end Boko Haram sect.

 

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Abubakar Kyari on Saturday joined top dignitaries and hundreds of sympathizers for the jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

 

In his comment, Borno Governor, Professor Zulum said the late chief of staff was evidently committed to the fight against Boko Haram and was determined to significantly contribute to ending the insurgency.

 

“The commitment of the late chief of army staff to the fight against Boko Haram was very obvious. Within the short time he served, he had been to Borno on multiple occasions, meeting operational commanders and troops at battle fronts. In all his interactions, he regularly motivated troops. The people of Borno thank him and all our gallant fallen heroes for their unquantifiable service to Borno and rest of Nigeria” Zulum said.

 

 

 

 

The funeral held around 1:30 at the national mosque in Abuja, was attended by the senate president, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, chief of staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Defence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General of Immigration, amongst other serving and former public office holders, top military officers, families, friends and associates of the late COAS.

 

 

 

Bodies of the late COAS and five others were brought by military ambulances to the national mosque for the funeral prayers that took place immediately after zuhr prayers.

 

The late chief of army staff had since his appointment, been to Borno state more than six times, to  supervise ongoing military operations against Boko Haram. He had visited different army formations, mobilize and motivated troops in front lines in peace building efforts.

 

By Roland Ekama