By GARBA MUHAMMAD, Kaduna

President Muhammadu Buhari, former Anambra State Governor, Mr. Peter Obi, and Chairman of the Senate Committee on Airforce, Sen Bala Ibn Na’Allah, have expressed sadness over Friday’s military air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.

In a condolence message by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina, in Abuja on Friday, the president condoled with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general.

He described them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”

While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the president said the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.”

The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.

In his own reaction, Obi, Vice Presidential Candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2019 elections, described the crash as “painful to the nation”.

He commiserated with the Nigerian Army, the Air force and President Buhari, while praying for the peaceful repose of the souls of the dead.

On his part, Sen. Na’Allah, said while reacting to the plane crash: “I received with shock the incident involving the crash of the Nigerian Airforce Kingair 350 in which the Chief of Army Staff was traveling.

“While it’s saddening and unfortunate, I am greatly diminished by the sad news of the death of a perfect gentleman in name of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers who paid the supreme price in the service of our great country.

“I, on behalf of the Senate Committee on Airforce, convey our heartfelt condolence to the Nation, the Nigerian Army and the immediate family of the deceased.

“May Allah in his infinite mercy grant they Aljanna fidausi.”

•Additional reports by NAN.