▪︎Senate President mourns Chief of Army Staff, other officers killed in air crash
The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers killed in an air crash on Friday while on official trip to Kaduna.
Lawan describes the tragedy as a national disaster of immense proportion that has thrown the entire nation into mourning.
“I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff and the entire members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria over this tragedy.
“This incident is saddening, coming at a time there is a fresh momentum in the nation’s war against insurgency, banditry and other violent crimes.
“The Chief of Army Staff and the other officers gave their lives for the security and unity of Nigeria and will be remembered as heroes in the history of the country.
“I commiserate with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari and the families of the deceased over the tragic incident and wish the departed souls eternal peace,” Lawan said.
Signed: Ola Awoniyi, Special Adviser (Media) to President of the Senate
Gbajabiamila mourns Army Chief Attahiru
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rep. Femi Gbajabiamila, has described as shocking and sad the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and seven others in a plane crash on Friday evening in Kaduna.
Gbajabiamila said the death of the Army Chief was unfortunate coming at a time that the Nigerian military was finding solutions to the security challenges in the country.
He said having taken over from the immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, a couple of months ago, Attahiru has shown a lot of commitment in tackling the security situation in the country.
Gbajabiamila, who said he had a few meetings with Attahiru in search of solutions to the challenges, noted that the late Army Chief came across as a core professional officer.
He said the Nigerian military, especially the Nigeria Army, has lost a dedicated and committed senior officer whose services to fatherland will be sorely missed.
The Speaker sent his condolences to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian military, and the Attahiru family over the loss. He prayed for the repose of the souls of Attahiru and the seven others.
▪︎Signed: Lanre Lasisi, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to the Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
NORTHERN GOVERNORS SHOCKED OVER DEATH OF CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF
The Northern Governors Forum has expressed deep shock over the air crash involving an airforce plane that killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, his aides and crew members in Kaduna.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the Forum is distressed over the sad incident which claimed the lives of the Army Chief and other officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces who were on an official assignment in the cause of advancing the security and peace of the country.
Lalong said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.
He said ” Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff. Since his appointment, we have engaged him as Northern Governors Forum and individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of our States, region and the nation at large. Within the few months he held sway, we have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities. We had been working on consolidating this before this tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him. We are highly shocked and pained”.
Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event is deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.
Signed: Dr. Makut Simon Macham, Director of Press & Public Affairs to the Governor of Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governor’s Forum.
▪︎Dark Friday: Ekweremadu Mourns Attahiru, others
Former Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, has expressed shock and sadness over the Friday evening plane crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 others.
Ekweremadu described them as patriots, who gave their best to fatherland, adding that the deaths were a heavy loss to the nation.
“What a dark Friday it was for the entire nation. The late Lieutenant General Attahiru was a man of high professional pedigree and his experience, leadership qualities, and patriotism stood him out. This is, therefore, a grievous loss to the entire nation.
“My heart goes out to his family and the families of other deceased compatriots, the Nigerian Army, the armed forces, and the President and Commander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari”, the lawmaker said.
He prayed God to grant the souls of the departed mercy and eternal repose, and equally called on the Federal Government to immortalise them as gallant soldiers and patriots, who served their fatherland till their last breaths.
Signed: Uche Anichukwu, Media Adviser to Sen. Ike Ekweremadu (Former Deputy President of the Senate)
▪︎David Mark expresses shock, sadness over death of COAS, Others, escribes them as heroes
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark has expressed shock and sadness over the death of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other top military brass in the ill fated plane crash in Kaduna on Friday evening.
This was contained in condolence messages to President Muhammadu Buhari, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Lt. General Lucky Irabor, the Nigerian Armed Forces and families of the fallen soldiers in Abuja.
He described the fallen officers as gallant, patriotic and heroes who were committed to the Defence of the territorial integrity of Nigeria as well as the restoration of peace, unity and security of the nation.
Senator Mark himself a retired Army General lamented that the tragedy is not only heartbreaking but one too many.
Senator Mark noted that the demise of the COAS and others at this time when their services were needed to rid the nation of security challenges is a huge set back.
He however told the Nigerian Armed Forces not to be deterred by the incident but rather be spurred towards winning the war against insurgency.
According to Mark, “the only way to immortalize the departed soldiers is to do all that is needed to win the war against insurgents and restore the citizens’ hope and confidence in the Armed Forces”.
The former Senate helmsman urged the Nigeria Airforce to subject their transport fleet to external safety audit under the civil/ military cooperation as recognized by International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in order to unravel the immediate and remote causes of recent plane crashes.
This, he said is necessary to prevent future occurrences.
Those who died along with the late COAS were Brigadier General M. I. Abdulkadir, Brigadier General Olayinka, Brigadier General Kuliya, Major L. A. Hayat, Major Hamza and SGT Umar. Others were FLT LT. T. O. Asaniyi, FLT LT. A.A. Olufade, SGT Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
Senator Mark prayed that God grants them eternal rest.
Signed:: Paul Mumeh, Media Adviser to Senator David Mark.