Our Reporter
The Nigerian Chief of Army Staff General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff, was killed in a plane crash in Kaduna, according to a military sources.
Gen Attahiru, 54, who became Chief of army staff on January 26 as successor to Gen Tukur Buratai, was killed alongside other military chiefs who were on the same flight with him.
The sources said that the presidency has already been briefed about the development.
Details of the incident is still sketchy but a military source confirmed that the crash occurred in Kaduna on Friday.
The Nigerian Air Force also confirmed the incident in statement, adding that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but details not given in full.
“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon,” read the statement signed by Edward Gabkwet, the force’s Director of Public Relations and Information.
The source reiterated that eight persons were on board the aircraft without a survivor.
Born on 10th August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, he graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He commenced cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer. He holds a Masters degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
General Attahiru has held several appointments on the staff, instructional and in command during his military career. He had a tour of duty with the United Nations in Sierra leone as a Military Observer, where he facilitated United Kingdom military engagement, Operation BARASS in September 2000.
He was an Operation Officer and later Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations in Liberia. Also, he had the unique privilege of having commanded with distinction all through the chain of command in the Nigerian Army.
Prominent among these appointments are Commanding Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. He was one time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE.
Below is a list of those who were on board the ill fated aircraft as Aides to the Chief of Army staff, COAS..
1. Lt Gen I Attahiru.
2. Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir.
3. Brig Gen Olayinka.
4. Brig Gen Kuliya.
5. Maj LA Hayat.
6. Maj Hamza.
7. Sgt Umar.
CREW
8. Flt Lt To Asaniyi.
9. Flt Lt AA Olufade.
10. Sgt Adesina.
11. Acm Oyedepo.
