By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The entire Nigerian security infrastructure was thrown into deep mourning following the crash of a military aircraft that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and ten others, on Friday.
The Nigeria Air Force (NAF) has confirmed the deaths.
Besides the COAS, yet to be confirmed reports listed Brig. Gen MI Abdulkadir, Brigadier General Olayinka, Brig. Gen. Kuliya, Maj. LA Hayat, Major Hamza,Seargeant Umar as the othe officers in the Army Chief’s entourage who also died in the fatal crash.
The crew of the ill-fated military aircraft were saud to be Ft. Lt. TO Asaniyi, Flt. Lt. AA Olufade, Sgt. Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.
However, TheNiche is yet to independently confirm this list.
The cause of the fatal crash is not yet known but the director public relations and information, Nigerian Air Force, Commodore Edward Gabkwet, confirmed the crash in a terse statement via Twitter.
The statement said there was an air crash involving a Nigerian Air Force plane but did not reveal identities of those on board.
The statement said, “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.”
It is not also known yet why the Army Chief was travelling to Kaduna but he hailed from the state where was born on August 10, 1966
He hailed from Kaduna North Local Government Area.
A military source who pleaded anonymity told TheNiche that nothing has been ruled out including sabotage.
“Investigations will reveal everything. But I can tell you that the entire Nigerian army is mourning. Coming after Tukur Buratai, Attahiru has given human face to management of soldiers in the five .inths he has been on saddle.
“This is a big tragedy,” he said.
