President Muhammadu Buhari on Friday expressed shock at the demise of Chief of Army Staff Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers who died in a plane crash in Kaduna.

Mr Buhari in a statement by his spokesperson Femi Adesina described Mr Attahiru and others as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”

People Gazette on Friday reported that Mr Attahiru, 54, who was appointed chief of army staff on January 26, died in a plane crash at Kaduna.

Mr Attahiru was killed alongside other military chiefs who were on the same flight.

Nigerian military has recorded two other plane crashes earlier in the year.

On February 21, a Beechcraft KingAir B350i (NAF 201), crashed while returning to the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport Abuja, killing all seven officers on board.

In March also, A Nigerian Air Force (NAF) Alpha-jet with two personnel on board disappeared after losing contact with radar in Borno state.

Read full statement:

PRESIDENT BUHARI EXPRESSES SHOCK, SORROW OVER DEATH OF LT. GEN ATTAHIRU, OTHERS

President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

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 receives 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.”

The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.

Femi Adesina
Special Adviser to the President
(Media and Publicity)
May 21, 2021