Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in a plane crash, Friday.
Attahiru was reported dead alongside 11 others, including top military chiefs aboard the flight in Kaduna.
54-year-old Attahiru was appointed chief of army staff on January 26, 2021. He succeeded General (rtd) Tukur Buratai.
The military plane belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) reportedly crashed around the Kaduna International Airport.
Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru Dies in Air Crash https://t.co/3tVIvcB5m9
May his soul rest in.peace pic.twitter.com/L7QA74ttc4
— Ozi Okoli (@oziokoli) May 21, 2021
According to reports, the plane, which crashed around 6pm on Friday, exploded and was completely burnt. Bad weather as a result of heavy rain in Kaduna was said to have contributed to the crash.
Checks by The New Diplomat reveal this is the third military plane crash in Nigeria in 2021 alone.
Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Nigerian Air Force Director of Information confirmed the mishap in a statement, however he was unable to immediately confirm the number of passengers aboard the ill-fated plane.
“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”, the spokesman noted.
Details shortly….
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