Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Attahiru Ibrahim is reportedly dead in an air crash while on official trip in Kaduna, North-West of the country.
A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima, reads:
“The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru . 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.”
Earlier, Nigerian Air Force Director Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, had issued a terse statement thus: “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.”
Prompt News reports that President Muhammadu Buhari, in January 2021, appointed General Attahiru Ibrahim as the new Chief of Army Staff alongside other Service Chiefs following the resignation of the erstwhile military chiefs.
The new Service Chiefs appointed are: Major-General Leo Irabor, Chief of Defence Staff; Major-General I. Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff; Rear Admiral A.Z Gambo, Chief of Naval Staff; and Air-Vice Marshal I.O Amao, Chief of Air Staff.
