In an apparent bid to douse criticisms, President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday made a condolence phone call to Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, wife of the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), after failing to attend his funeral.

The president, in the telephone conversation with Mrs Attahiru, extolled the sacrifices of the fallen military officers and the Armed Forces in general.

He said Nigerians would continue to ”appreciate and support the fearlessness with which our courageous soldiers are confronting the threats facing the nation”. He also assured that the nation would never forget the supreme sacrifice of their spouses.

Mr Buhari has come under public hammer after his ‘no-show’ at the burial ceremony of his army chief and other military brass hats who died in active service. Many say his failure to pay his last respect was a sign of no empathy.

In a move deemed to placate disenchanted voices, the president ordered that the Nigerian flag be flown at half mast from Monday May 24 to Wednesday May 26. The Armed Forces were also given a work free day on Monday.

The president’s wife, Aisha and some of her family members also visited Mrs Attahiru Sunday evening to share in her grief.

The late Attahiru and 10 other officers died in a plane crash in Kaduna on Friday evening. 

(NAN)