Nigerians Hit Buhari, Osinbajo Over Absence From Funeral Of COAS Ibrahim Attahiru, 10 Others

By Edna Wande Last updated May 23, 2021

Absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo from the burial ceremony of Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers has drawn condemnation from many Nigerians.

MDB reported that Attahiru and 10 others died in a plane crash on Friday in Kaduna state while on official assignment to Zaria in Kaduna State.

The names of the other officers include Brigadier-General MI Abdulkadir, Brigadier-General Olayinka, Brigadier-General Kuliya, Major LA Hayat, Major Hamza and Sergeant Umar.

Others are Flight-Lieutenant TO Asaniyi, Flight-Lieutenant AA Olufade, Sergeant Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.

They were travelling to Depot Nigerian Army, Zaria for the passing out parade of regular recruits slated for Saturday.

The victim were then buried at National Military Cemetery in Abuja on Saturday afternoon in accordance to Islamic rites.

However, Buhari and Osinbajo were no where to be seen at the ceremony, leaving a lot of Nigerians surprised and confused as to why both leaders were absent at such an important event.

It was the third military air disaster this year and the army posted videos on social networks of the service attended by top political and military leaders at the national mosque.

The religious services for the deceased were organised by the military.

Islamic funeral service was held at the National Mosque, Abuja for late army chief and five others who were Muslims while the Christian funeral services burial rites were held at the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church, Abuja for the officers who were Christians.

After the religious services, the bodies of the dead officers were taken to National Military Cemetery along Airport Road for internment.

During the ceremony, family members, friends, colleagues and sympathisers wept uncontrollably as their remains were lowered into the graves.

In attendance were the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor, a general; Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao; and Chief of Naval Staff, Gambo Awwal, all of whom were appointed on January 26 including Attahiru by Buhari.

Among government officials present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari; Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed and Minister of Communications and Digital Strategy, Isa Pantami.

Others were the Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar; Senate President, Ahmed Lawan, governors of Borno, Kaduna, Yobe and Kebbi.

However, conspicuously missing at the sombre event was the president of the republic. No one has explained to the nation why he stayed away.

In the address read on his behalf by Mr Magashi, Buhari said the death of the officers would not be in vain, describing Attahiru as a dedicated and committed officer.

He said;

Today is indeed a trying moment for the Nigerian Army and indeed the armed forces of our country, a period that witnessed the death of 11 brave officers and men of the armed forces in an ill-fated crash in Kaduna.

These fine gentlemen had a glorious career in the armed forces in the course of which they served gallantly in several capacities.

Buhari said Attahiru “inspired courage and confidence in the Nigerian Army which informed successes recorded during his watch”.

He added;

He led the Nigerian Army from the front and was a source of inspiration worthy of emulation by all officers and men of the armed forces of Nigeria,” the president said, promising to ensure that the contribution of the deceased officer to the unity, peace and security would be remembered

As at the time of filing this report, the president’s media aides, Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu, were yet to comment on why the president did not personally attend such a high-profile funeral.

However, criticisms against the president intensified with the news that he just returned to Abuja from France where he attended the African Finance Summit but did not deem it fit to attend the burial of his top military chief and other military personnel who died on duty.

Buhari left Abuja on Sunday for the summit and returned on Thursday, two days before the burial.

This is not the first time the president is being condemned for failing to attend significant national burials and not visiting victims of monumental tragedies.

In 2018, President Buhari was absent at the burial of soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Metele, Borno State.

In 2019, Buhari also did not attending the burial of five Nigerian Air Force officers, who died while prosecuting the war on terror.

Other popular burials Buhari did not attend was that of his late Chief of Army Staff, Abba Kyari, who died from COVID-19 last year.

In similar fashion, Buhari in December sparked outrage over his failure to visit Kankara after over 300 schoolboys were abducted while he was on vacation at his country home in Katsina, which was not far from the scene of abductions.

He, instead, detailed a delegation led by the National Security Adviser, Babagana Monguno, to travel from far away Abuja to Katsina, where he was, to comfort the grieving families.

Many commentators say Buhari has proven again and again that he is a man bereft of empathy for the the people he governs.

See reactions from many Nigerians on Twitter below;

This propaganda from the Buhari Media Center, that @MBuhari did not attend General Attahiru’s funeral because the Presidency needs 48 hours to prepare his security is idiotic. When Buhari’s son, Yusuf, was involved in an accident, Buhari was there within 30 minutes!#TableShaker

— Reno Omokri (@renoomokri) May 23, 2021

If you can go to France, you can attend the burial of your COAS + others and use that platform as an opportunity to reassure your troops whilst celebrating the loss of our gallant men. But I shouldn’t tweet this. I shouldn’t attract unnecessary negative energy to my timeline.

— JJ. Omojuwa (@Omojuwa) May 22, 2021

If the COAS burial was in London,
Buhari: pic.twitter.com/iWayd6rFxj

— FS Yusuf (@FS_Yusuf_) May 22, 2021

Here’s Putin attending a military funeral, drenched. But Buhari couldn’t attend COAS, Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru’s burial. At least to boost the morale of the army. Bayo must have felt really sad, he missed an opportunity to give Bubu one of those crisp clear photos. What a loss. pic.twitter.com/QBDjsTns6w

— NEFERTITI (@firstladyship) May 22, 2021

The man who flew to France for a Summit refused to honour his Chief of Army Staff at his burial with his presence.

Those of you still serving Buhari are STUPID!

— Henry Shield (@henryshield) May 23, 2021

As if the death of Army Chief Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru & other officers isn’t tragic enough, C-in-C Buhari refused to attend their burial. Lesson 101: Die for Nigeria, die in vain. pic.twitter.com/SJ06CqAuB6

— Chuks Akunna (@akunnachux) May 22, 2021

This funeral of former Chief of Army staff held in Abuja, Buhari and his VP Osinbajo were absent.
The most irresponsible govt in the history of this country.

— Somto Onuchukwu (@chosensomto) May 22, 2021

On the 7th of November 2016, the bodies of soldiers were brought in from Borno to be buried in Abuja. The whole nation was grieving these heroes killed alongside their leader Lt Col Abu Ali, Muhammadu Buhari on that day callously chose to go to Edo State and campaign for votes! https://t.co/EbSxGM6X5w

— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) May 22, 2021

GEJ at late Gen. Aziza funeral and Russian President drenched under rain while attending the funeral of fallen heroes and Buhari picking his teeth in the Villa while his Chief of army staff and other generals are being buried. Nigeria Ntoor!💔💔 pic.twitter.com/ngPAgsG8XI

— Madona (@madona1996) May 22, 2021

Buhari who’s the President & C-in-C of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria couldnt attend the burial of his Chief of Army staff (COAS) who died on official duty. But if a Female goat belonging to Queen Elizabeth gives birth, Buhari will attend the naming ceremony

— Chlorpheniramine #EndSARS 🇳🇬 (@VictorIsrael_) May 22, 2021

In January 2016, Buhari attended the memorial service of 100 Kenyan soldiers killed by Alshabab, but didn’t attend the funeral/memorial service for hundreds of Nigerian soldiers killed by Boko Haram in Gudunbali in November 2015. #BuhariLacksEmpathy for Nigerians!

— Jaafar Jaafar (@JaafarSJaafar) May 22, 2021

Abah Kyari died Buhari did not attend his funeral

Is Funtua died, Buhari failed to attend his funeral

AVM Moukhar died Buhari no show

Attahiru died, Buhari was absent

But if the dog of Emmanuel Macron dies, Buhari will be the first to attend.

— Abdul-Aziz Na’ibi Abubakar (@jrnaib2) May 22, 2021

The only person minding his business in Nigeria is buhari.
He only eats, sleeps, travels takes his pills and expresses shock & dissapointments That’s all. No stress… 😂

— Comrade Aremu (@danielaremufory) May 23, 2021