UPDATED: Chief Of Army Staff, General Attahiru Dies In Plane Crash

The Chief of Army Staff, Major General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in a plane crash. The sad event happened in Kaduna on Friday, May 21, 2021.

A statement by the Director Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima shortly after the crash, confirmed the death of the Army and 10 others onboard the ill-fated aircraft.

“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. Details of the sad incident and burial arrangements will be communicated soon.”

Earlier, 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.

Identities of the Passengers who died alongside the Chief Of Army Staff are.

• BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
• BRIG GEN OLAYINKA.
• BRIG GEN KULIYA.
• MAJ LA HAYAT.
• MAJ HAMZA.
• SGT UMAR.

CREW

• FLT LT TO ASANIYI
• FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
• SGT ADESINA.
• ACM OYEDEPO.

Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021.

Born on 10th August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, he graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

He commenced cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer. He holds a Masters degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

General Attahiru has held several appointments on the staff, instructional and in command during his military career. He had 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.

He was an Operation Officer and later Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations in Liberia. Also, he had the unique privilege of having commanded with distinction all through the chain of command in the Nigerian Army.

Prominent among these appointments are Commanding Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. He was one time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE.