Attahiru: Nigerian Army to lay late chief Attahiru, other officers today

The Nigeria Army has announced the burial proceedings for the late Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and others.

Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, Director of Army Public Relations issued a statement in the wee hours of Saturday.

The remains of Attahiru and six senior officers who lost their lives in an air mishap in Kaduna on Friday will be laid to rest today.

The funeral will commence at 10:00a.m. at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja, the Nigeria’s capital.

The interment for all seven is scheduled for the National Military Cemetery, Abuja, at 1:00p.m.

The Minister of Defence, Maj Gen Bashir Salihi Magashi called the incident “a rude shock and unfortunate”.

Magashi, in a statement by Mohammad Abdulkadri, his spokesman, said the death of the Army Chief, senior officers and aides “represents a huge national disaster”.

He described Attahiru as a gallant, dogged, disciplined and dedicated security officer who died in the line of duty to his fatherland.

Magashi recalled “his unblemished track records of service,” as Director Army Public Relations (DAPR), Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole and as General Officer Commanding (GOC) which culminated into his elevation.

The retired General noted that although Attahiru died when his service was needed most, his short but eventful tenure as COAS and over three decades of patriotic service will never been forgotten.