Plane crash: Akume condoles with Buhari, Attahiru’s family, others

The Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Sen. George Akume, has condoled with President Muhammadu Buhari, the family of late Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a plane crash in Kaduna Friday.

Akume, who expressed his condolence message in a statement issued by Mrs Julie Jacobs, Deputy Director Press in the ministry on Monday, also condoled with the family of 10 military officers who also involved in the accident.

The late Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru died in the ill-fated crashed NAF aircraft during an official trip to Kaduna State, together with 10 senior officers.

His remains and the 10 others, who died in the plane crash were on Saturday laid to rest with full military honour amidst tears and anguish at the military cemetery, Abuja.

Akume described the late Attahiru as a disciplined, diligent, dedicated and thorough professional military officer who, within the short period he served, had gained so much grounds in the fight against insurgency, kidnappings and banditry in Nigeria.

“Though the loss of the late Chief of Army Staff is quite unfortunate, we appreciate God Almighty for his life that was very impactful and well spent, ” he said.

He, however, advised other military officers Attahiru left behind to sustain the tempo in the fight against insurgency and banditry which he described as a must-win battle so that his death would not be in vain.

“May God Almighty grant Mr President, the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the immediate families of the deceased military officers and men, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, ” Akume prayed.