How Chief of Army Staff, other Generals died in Kaduna plane crash

TNT Newsline May 22, 2021 52

Late COAS Attahiru

A military plane crashed in Kaduna State on Friday with the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, along with several other officers, on board.

The Nigerian Air Force confirmed the incident via a statement issued shortly after the crash, but did not reveal the identities of the affected military personnel.

But several media reports said Lieutenant General Attahiru, who was appointed Chief of Staff on January 26, and 10 others, including six military officers and four crew members, died in the crash.

President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed “shock and sorrow” over the deaths.

Air Force spokesperson, Edward Gabkwet, said the incident occurred near the Kaduna International Airport.

 

“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. More details to follow soon,” he said.

The incident was said to have occurred at about 6 pm while it was raining heavily.

The officers apparently were on their way to Kaduna State ahead of tomorrow’s passing out parade of soldiers from the Nigerian Army Depot in Zaria.

The aircraft, with registration number, 5N-R203 was billed to land at the Nigerian Airforce Base in Mando area, before it diverted and attempted to land at the Kaduna airport.

The Air Force has been involved in a couple of tragedies this year.

An Air Force jet supporting ground troops fighting Boko Haram terrorists went missing in north-east Borno in March.

In February, seven officials died after a military plane crashed in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The 21st COAS

General Attahiru was born on August 10, 1966 and joined the military in 1984.

He rose through the rank to become the 21st Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army.

Before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff, he had commanded Operation Lafiya Dole between May 2017 to December 2017.

He was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

He commenced cadet training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer.

He held a Masters degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Others honours he acquired include a Masters of Science in Human Resources Management and Development from Salford University in the United Kingdom and  Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

‘The Ultimate Price’

In a statement signed by spokesman Femi Adesina, the President expressed sadness and sorrow over the deaths late Friday.

“President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers,” the statement said.

President Buhari described the military officers as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”

He also noted that 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.”

President Buhari, according to the statement, pledged that the departed would not die in vain. (ChannelsTV)

 

Army releases details

The Nigerian Army on Friday night confirmed the passing away of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, giving minimal details of how he and other Generals, among others, died in a military plane crash.

“The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.

“The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened.

“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon,” Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said in a statement.

He announced their burial arrangements in another short statement, saying: “The Burial proceedings of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 6 other senior officers who lost their lives in an air mishap in Kaduna is slated for today Saturday, 22 May 21. It will commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 1000hrs respectively.

“Consequently, the interment for the late COAS and 6 other senior officers will take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja today by 1300hrs.”

The Army was silent on the other 10 victims of the plane crash but a dispatch by PRNigeria news agency identified those on board the crashed aircraft as follows:

  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

  1. FLT LT TO ASANIYI
  2. FLT LT AA OLUFADE
  3. SGT ADESINA

11. ACM OYEDEPO

52 thoughts on “How Chief of Army Staff, other Generals died in Kaduna plane crash”

  36. I’m very happy to uncover this site. I want to to thank you for ones time just for this fantastic read!!
    I definitely savored every little bit of it and i also have you book-marked
    to look at new information in your web site.

    Reply

  37. An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto
    a co-worker who had been conducting a little homework on this.

    And he actually bought me breakfast due to the fact that I discovered it for him…
    lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thank YOU for the meal!!
    But yeah, thanx for spending time to discuss this issue here on your
    site.

    Reply

  44. That is a good tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere.
    Brief but very accurate info… Appreciate your sharing this
    one. A must read article!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News You may have missed

Retirement homes by Africans abroad makes no sense

editor September 22, 2024 0

How TB Joshua’s widow, others struggle to keep massive crowds of late founders’ mega churches

editor September 22, 2024 0

How Osun banker allegedly defrauded two of N25 million, gave birth after bail

editor September 22, 2024 0

Edo election: PDP supporters protest, accuse Oshiomhole, others of figure manipulation

editor September 22, 2024 0

#EdoDecides2024: APC members protest Governor Obaseki’s presence at INEC collation centre

editor September 22, 2024 0