The Nigerian Army on Friday night confirmed the passing away of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, giving minimal details of how he and other Generals, among others, died in a military plane crash.

“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,” Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, said in a statement.

He announced their burial arrangements in another short statement, saying: “The Burial proceedings of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Late Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 6 other senior officers who lost their lives in an air mishap in Kaduna is slated for today Saturday, 22 May 21. It will commence at the National Mosque and National Christian Centre, Abuja by 1000hrs respectively.

“Consequently, the interment for the late COAS and 6 other senior officers will take place at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja today by 1300hrs.”

The Army was silent on the identities of the other 10 victims of the plane crash but a dispatch by PRNigeria news agency identified those on board the crashed aircraft as follows:

1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA
5. MAJ LA HAYAT
6. MAJ HAMZA
7. SGT UMAR

CREW

8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE
10. SGT ADESINA

11. ACM OYEDEPO