“President Buhari expresses shock, sorrow over death of Lt. Gen Attahiru, others”

The Chief of the Naval Staff Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo has directed the cancellation of the events marking the 65th Anniversary of the Nigerian Navy.

According to Naval Spokesman, Commodore Suleman Dahun, the decision followed the sad demise of the Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, some senior officers, other officers and personnel in the air crash of yesterday May 21, 2021 in Kaduna.

“Vice Admiral Awwal Gambo commiserates with the Nation and offers the condolences of officers and ratings of the Nigerian Navy to Mr. President, the Nigerian Army and Nigerian Air Force as well as families of the departed. May their souls rest in peace.”

The Navy had rolled out time-table for the celebration of its 65th Anniversary.

The death of Attahiru, a Service Chief, like his colleague in the Navy, Vice Admiral Auwal Gambo had put all the three Service’s of Army, Navy, Airforce and the entire Defence Circle in a sober mood.

Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. This was disclosed by Femi Adesina, Special Adviser to the President (Media and Publicity).

The President condoles with families of the deceased, the Military, and Nigerians in general, describing 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 says 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.