The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other Army chiefs and crew members have died in a plane crash.
Military source said Gen. Attahiru was on a trip to Kaduna.
In a statement, the Nigerian Air Force confirmed that there was an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not go into details.
“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,” read the statement signed by Edward Gabkwet, the force’s Director of Public Relations and Information.
Also confirming the incident, Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said, “The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen 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.
“Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon”.
Efforts were on to locate the wreckage of the plane and evacuate remains of the victims.
COAS entourage involved in the crash are:
- LT GEN I ATTAHIRU.
- BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
- BRIG GEN OLAYINKA.
- BRIG GEN KULIYA.
- MAJ LA HAYAT.
- MAJ HAMZA.
- SGT UMAR.
Crew members include:
- FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
- FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
- SGT ADESINA.
- ACM OYEDEPO.
See video from the scene of accident: