The remains of the former chief of army staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and others were interred at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja yesterday in full military honours.
The others were Brigadier Generals Ahmed Kuliya, O Olayinka, and MI Abdulkadir; Majors N Hamza, LA Hayat; Sergeants O Adesina, and Umar; as well as Aircraftman OM Oyedepo, Flt Lt TO Asaniyi, and Flt Lt AA Olufade.
The 11 military personnel died in a plane crash on Friday, May 21 at the Kaduna International Airport.
It was reported that the Beechcraft 350 aircraft marked 5N-R203 was slated to land at the Nigerian Air Force Base in the Mando area of Kaduna but diverted to land at the civil airport due to bad weather.
In his tribute, President Muhammadu Buhari, described the officers’ death as a national tragedy.
The president who was represented by the minister of defence, Maj. Gen. Salihi Magashi (retd) said it was a trying period for the country, given that the dead officers were among the nation’s finest.
“It is tragedy to the nation and we must do all we can to honour them. They were known for their uncommon loyalty, a virtue that is required of all of us at this trying moment,” he said.
Equally, the vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo said the death of the Attahiru and others while in active service, “reflects the depth of sacrifice our military officers, men and women of other ranks are often prepared to make.”
“Their death while in active service in the defence of our country reflects the depth of sacrifice our military officers are often prepared to make. We honour the service of the Army Chief and all those involved in this unfortunate accident even as we continue to demonstrate our profound appreciation to all in our military services and in harm’s way. The gallantry of these heroes would always be remembered.
“I join the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces to commiserate with families, friends and colleagues of these gallant officers and men who died in the crash. I pray that God grants them the fortitude to bear the loss. May the memories of the departed remain ever blessed,” he added.
In his message entitled, ‘Love for country’ the chief of defence staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor, said the death of the senior officers was painful, but “certainly not in vain.”
“It is deeply saddening that I have to give these remarks on this occasion. Why are we here? Love for country. How did we get here? Love for country. What is the purpose of the oath of allegiance? Love for country.
“May 21, was a very sad day for the Armed Forces of Nigeria, yesterday was a sad day for the nation as I received with shock and utter dismay the gloomy news of the sudden demise of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other gallant officers and personnel. The loss of our gallant and energetic but calm Chief of Army Staff, and other heroes of patriotic zeal is painful, but certainly not in vain.
“Today (yesterday), the recruits of depot Nigerian Army were to be on passing out parade to herald their joining the workforce of the Armed Forces of Nigeria. The Chief of Army Staff was to be the special guest of honour at the event. One of our finest and best pilots was conveying him along with the entourage, after landing at the Kaduna International Airport, the cold hands of death, which manifested in the stormy weather ended that journey. The sting of death, you have not stopped the fight against all forms of insecurity. As we mourn, I remember with a deep sense of pride the lives and times of an accomplished General, reliable professional and a dependable colleague,” Irabor said.
Also, national leader of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Bola Tinubu described the late officers as “stalwart and brave soldiers.”
“COAS Lt. Gen. Attahiru and the others were stalwarts and brave soldiers who had dedicated their careers, and now their very lives, in the service of this nation and toward the realization of the noble aspirations this nation represents,” Tinubu said.
He said Attahiru had a most distinguished career.
“The army and the nation will miss his excellent character and fine leadership at this moment when we are fighting terrorism or banditry in many parts of the nation,” he added.
Tinubu further said the fallen soldiers would all be remembered for their meritorious service to the country.
“Their untimely and sad departure hurts. However, we owe it to them and to the nation to gather our strength and fortitude.
“We must gird ourselves that we finish the job to which they dedicated and gave their lives.
“Let us remember these brave patriots not with our tears but by achieving victory over the terrorism and violence that seek to rob our nation of its finest destiny.
“Let this unfortunate accident not deter us, but spur us and our valiant military to continue to defend this land from violence and evil.”
“We owe them a debt of gratitude that we can never truly repay except by defeating the violent challenges that now confront us.
“I pray for the repose of the souls of these men and also pray that God grant the families of these brave officers the fortitude to bear this loss.
“This tragedy reminds us all, once again, of the great patriotism of the brave men and officers who put their lives at risk in defence of our fatherland. Let us recommit ourselves to appreciating, supporting and encouraging them at all times,” he said.
For its part, the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) said the dead officers were “dedicated soldiers, who devotedly fought for our country.”
“Lt. Gen. Attahiru was an exemplary soldier, whose zeal, dedication and professionalism inspired his men in the ongoing war against terrorism and to secure the nation’s peace and stability.
“Already, all well-meaning Nigerians are enjoying a renewed confidence in the army, while the soldiers themselves are showing appreciation for their leadership’s encouraging impetus in boosting their morale on the battlefield.
“Our thoughts are with the families of the entire crew members and others on the entourage of the Chief, who lost their lives in the unfortunate plane crash.
“They were worthy and dedicated soldiers, who devotedly fought for our country on the battlefield. May the souls of these heroes rest in peace…” the NGF said in a statement by signed by its chairman and governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi.
