How Nigeria's Army Chief, 10 Others Died In Plane Crash

How Nigeria's Army Chief, 10 Others Died In Plane Crash

Late Attahiru 

It was a tortuous moment for Nigeria and the entire armed forces when the number one citizen in the military cadre, Chief of Army Staff (CoAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 officers died in a plane crash. CHIKA OKEKE writes. 

Nigerians were again thrown into mourning as the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Attahiru and 10 officers died on Friday evening in a plane crash involving a military Beachcraft 350. 

His trip to Kaduna was to grace the Passing out Parade (PoP) of 80RRI in Depot Nigerian Army on May 22 before he died in the ill-fated crash.

The incident, which was blamed on bad weather, occurred as the aircraft conveying COAS, 10 other officers including the crew was landing at the Kaduna International Airport. 

Though the military didn't provide further details on the intricacies surrounding the incident at the time of the crash,  but a statement obtained from the @HQNigerianArmy handle, revealed that the late Attahiru died in a plane crash in Kaduna.

Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima disclosed that the late COAS was enroute to Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened. 

The statement reads: "The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew. The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the unfortunate incident happened". 

Below are the list of officers that died in the crash:

1. Lt Gen I Attahiru- COAS

2. Brig Gen MI Abdulkadir

3. Brig Gen Olayinka 

4. Brig Gen Kuliya

5. Maj LA Hayat

6. Maj Hamza

7. Sgt Umar

8. Flt Lt to Asaniyi 

9. Flt Lt to AA Olufade

10. Sgt Adesina

11. ACM Oyedepo

However, a military convoy was said to have conveyed the remains of the late COAS and other senior military officers from the 44 Nigerian Army Referral hospital Kaduna to the Nigerian Airforce base in the Mando area of the State. 

Their remains was however moved to Abuja for the finally interrement at the National Military Cemetery even as prayers for the deceased held at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja. 

"The burial will be preceded by prayers that will hold simultaneously at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja, according to another statement by Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima". 

Born on 10th August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North local government area of Kaduna State, the Late Attahiru was appointed the COAS on 26th January, 2021. 

As the 25th Chief of Army Staff, he spent only three months in office before the unfortunate incident. 

He graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Nigerian Army School of Infantry. Thereafter, he commenced officer cadet training in January 1984 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer.

Attahiru obtained a Masters's degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy and another Masters of Science degree in Human Resources Management and Development from Salford University in the United Kingdom. 

In addition, he obtained a Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya. Some of his family has connections with the Gulla Americans in Charleston S.C, according to sources.

He was a one-time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE in the Northeast and also a director, Army Public Relations and spokesperson of the Nigerian Army. 

Attahiru was later appointed the director, staff duties and deputy Chief of Policy and Plans at the Army headquarters. 

Also, he served as Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation and Chief of Defence Logistics at the Defence headquarters Abuja. 

Given the task associated with the position, he worked with the US Defence Logistics Agency on the Vertically Integrated Logistics Approach (VILA) programme, targetted at boosting operational readiness in Nigeria's Armed Forces.

While in the service, he was decorated with UNAMSIL Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguish Service Star, Grand Service Star, Corp Medal of Honour, Command medal, Field Command Medal, and Field Command Medal of Honour.