The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, died in an air crash along with his wife and some aides while on an official trip to Kaduna State on Friday evening.
The military plane reportedly crashed at the runway of the Kaduna Airport around 6:00 p.m. while it was raining heavily.
According to reports, the plane crash-landed on the runway, with all those on board said to have died.
He reportedly died with his wife, Fatai Attahiru, and 10 others, who were in the plane.
Confirming the crash, the Nigeria Air Force Public Relations person, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet tweeted, saying “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.”
However, an official statement on the details of the crash is being expected from authorities.
Attahiru was appointed chief of army staff on January 26, succeeding Tukur Buratai. He was 54.
In July 2017, he was sacked as the theatre commander of the joint task force for failing to capture the leader of the Boko Haram terrorist group, Abubakar Shekau, by his predecessor, Tukur Buratai.
The 21st chief of Army Staff was born in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State. He was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
Late General Attahiru has held several appointments on the staff, instructional, and in command during his military career, including a tour of duty with the United Nations in Sierra leone as a Military Observer, where he facilitated United Kingdom military engagement, Operation BARASS in September 2000.
