President Muhammadu Buhari said he is deeply shocked and devastated hearing the news of Chadian President, Idriss Deby’s tragic death.
Deby, 68, died of injuries suffered while fighting rebels in the northern part of the country, the army said Tuesday.
Deby died days after winning a re-election at the April 11 presidential poll in Chad. He had ruled the country for three decades. Following his death, the Chadian Army had suspended the country’s constitution and launched a military council to be led by Deby’s son, General Mahamat Kaka, 37.
Reacting to Deby’s death on Tuesday, President Buhari said: “I’m deeply shocked and devastated by the sudden death of Idriss Deby on the battle front to defend the sovereignty of his country.”
Buhari’s reaction was contained in a statement by his spokesperson, Garba Shehu.
According to the President, “the late Deby had played a very active role in our regional joint collaboration in the military campaign against the Boko Haram terrorists.”
President Buhari described the late Chadian leader “as a friend of Nigeria who had enthusiastically lent his hand in our efforts to defeat the murderous Boko Haram terrorists that have posed grave security challenges not only for Nigeria, but also our African neighbours, particularly Chad, Cameroon and Niger Republic.”
While condoling with the people of Chad and their new leader, President Buhari called for greater collaboration to defeat the terrorists.
He added that “the death of Deby will surely create a big vacuum in the efforts to jointly confront the Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State West Africa Province.”
