COAS: Fayemi describes crash as national tragedy

Gov. Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti has described as a national tragedy, the death of Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others in air crash on Friday in Kaduna.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr Yinka Oyebode, in Ado-Ekiti on Saturday, Fayemi said the day was a black Friday for the country.

Fayemi, who is also the Chairman, Nigeria Governors’ Forum, said the COAS was patriotic and fearless, always ready to go the extra mile to protect Nigeria’s sovereignty.

The governor expressed concern over the crash, which he noted was the third disaster involving military aircraft in the last few months.

Fayemi said the late Attahiru, who assumed office as COAS in January, brought in a fresh hope in the fight against insecurity and insurgency in the country.

He added that the determination of the COAS emboldened military personnel and spurred them to reclaim some territories hitherto lost to terrorists.

Fayemi said he was not surprised at the feat recorded by Attahiru within his short stint as COAS, noting that the deceased had earlier proven his worth in previous assignments, especially as the Commander of Operation Lafia Dole in the North East.

He prayed God to console the families of the COAS and the other military personnel who died along with him.

He prayed God to grant the families the fortitude to bear the losses.

“We express deep condolences to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Nigerian Armed Forces, President Mohammadu Buhari, the immediate and extended family members of the late General Attahiru and other military officers who died in the crash.

“We pray the Almighty Allah to grant the families of the departed the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss,” the governor said.