Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, has died Friday in an air crash alongside 11 others, while on an official trip to Kaduna.
Spokesperson of the Nigerian Air Force, Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the crash in a statement but did not provide any details.
“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,” his statement said.
Also, in a statement, Acting Director Defence Information, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu explained that “the unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather.”
The statement added that the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has directed the constitution of an Accident Investigation Board “to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident.”
While soliciting the support and understanding of Nigerians, the statement added “that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combatting the security challenges bedevilling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain.”
It added that the CDS has urged “all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on this tragic loss.”
Lt. General Attahiru was recently appointment army chief by President Muhammadu Buhari. Until his appointment in January, he was the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.
He was once the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri prior to his sacked in 2017 for alleged incompetence.
General Attahiru was born on 10 August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
He was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
Attahiru commenced cadets 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, Kaduna.
General Attahiru also held Masters of Science in Human Resources Management and Development form Salford University in the United Kingdom and Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.