Kaduna Plane Crash: Nigerian Army Confirms Death Of COAS, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, 10 Other Officials
Nigerian Army has confirmed the death of Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers in a plane crash.
Mohammed Yerima, Brigadier General, Director of Army Public Relations in the statement said the aircraft was enroute to Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, when the unfortunate incident happened.
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The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021
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Yerima added that details of the crash burial arrangements will be communicated to the public soon.
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.
Mohammed Yerima
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
21 May 2021— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021
Here is the full list of 11 people who died in the plane crash.
COAS ENTOURAGE
1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA
5. MAJ LA HAYATU
6. MAJ HAMZA
7. SGT UMAR
CREW
8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
10. SGT ADESINA.
11. ACM OYEDEPO.
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Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari described the crash as a ‘mortal blow‘ to the efforts of the Armed Forces to confront rising insecurity in Nigeria, while promising that the officers won’t die in vain.
Attahiru was appointed Army chief in January to replace the retired Tukur Buratai.
He had made numerous promises to improve the military’s effectiveness, especially in the fight against Boko Haram terrorists in the north east region.
Read Also: President Buhari Replaces Service Chiefs
Friday’s crash is the third aircraft of the Air Force that has crashed in the past three months.
At least 20 military officers have lost their lives in the last three months in three crashes involving Nigerian Air Force jets.
On Sunday, February 21, 2021, seven NAF officers died onboard a Beechcraft KingAir B350i aircraft when the jet crashed in Abuja.
Read Also: Air Force Confirms Death Of Seven Passengers In Abuja Plane Crash
Also, on Wednesday, March 31, 2021, NAF spokesman, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, said an Alpha-Jet aircraft involved in the anti-terror war against Boko Haram and Islamic State West Africa Province lost radar contact in Borno State.
Read Also: Missing Jet May Have Crashed, Two Pilots’ Whereabouts Unknown – Nigerian Air Force
Two officers were onboard the missing jet which was later declared crashed and the whereabouts of the two airmen unknown till date.
