Nigerian Chief of Army Staff Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru dies in air crash

Nigerian Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, has died in an air crash while on an official trip to Kaduna State.

It was reported on Friday May 21, 2021, that a military Beachcraft 350 aircraft had crashed at the Kaduna International Airport, claiming all eight souls onboard including the newly appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru.

Although the Nigerian Army is yet to make any official statement on Attahiru’s death, Nigerian Air Force 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.
At least 17 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets.

President Muhammadu Buhari, however, issued his condolences to families of Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers who died in the crash.

In a statement signed by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, the President condoles 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 receive 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.”