By Hillary Asemota
The death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other military officers on Friday in Kaduna, no doubt threw the entire country into mourning as it is no doubt one disaster that is becoming too many for the nation’s defence formation even as the crash sparked mourning through the length and breath of the nation.
President Muhammadu Buhari who is deeply saddened over the air crash expressed shock while condoling 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.”
Buhari pledged that the departed would not die in vain, Mr. Femi Adesina, Spokesperson to the President, said in a statement.
Also voicing their grieve at the calamity, the Senate President, Mr. Ahmad Lawan and his colleague at the House of representatives, Mr. Femi Gbajabiamila, also sounded their 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, according to the statement made available to the media by Mr. Ola Awoniyi, who is the Special Advider on Media to Lawan.
In this vein, Mr. Lanre Lasisi, the Special Adviser to the Speaker in a statement while quoting his Principal, said: “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.
“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.”
According to him, 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.
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.
On the air crash which claimed the top military officers on Friday, the Edo State Governor, Mr. Godwin Obaseki was also thrown into mourning mood
Obaseki reiterated that Attahiru and others passed in an Airforce aircraft crash in Kaduna, on Friday evening.
Obaseki expressed shock and sadness over the unfortunate incident, praying that God will grant the repose of their souls.
“We pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident and admonish the military to continue with the patriotic efforts to secure the country,” he said.
“Lt. Gen. Attahiru served Nigeria meritoriously, bringing his skill, experience and expertise to bear in prosecuting the war against terror. “He will always be remembered for his gallantry, commitment to service and dedication to our fatherland,” Obaseki added.