Nigeria’s chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and unspecified number of soldiers died in a plane crash at the Kaduna International Airport on Friday evening.
They were said to have been returning to Abuja after an official trip to Kaduna.
A source at the airport said the aircraft exploded and got burnt completely when it touched the ground.
The source also stated that the aircraft crashed about 6pm.
“The incident happened at about 6pm this evening near the airport and the people on board the aircraft were burnt.
“The crew lost control of the aircraft due to sudden change of weather before the evening rain in Kaduna,” the source said.
Although there was no official statement by the Nigerian army, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that one of its aircraft was involved in a crash on Friday evening.
“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,” the director of public relations and information NAF, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, tweeted.
The manifest of the aircraft was yet to be released as of the time of handing in this report
