Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in a plane crash. The Nigerian Air Force in a statement confirmed an accident involving one of its aircraft in Kaduna but did not give further details.
“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,” read the statement signed by Edward Gabkwet, the force’s Director of Public Relations and Information.
Eight persons were said to be on board the aircraft. Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021.
General Attahiru has held several appointments on the staff, instructional and in command during his military career.
Born on August 10,1966 in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, he graduated from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
He commenced cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer. He holds a Masters degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.
As a Military Observer, he had a tour of duty with the United Nations in Sierra leone where he facilitated United Kingdom military engagement, Operation BARASS in September 2000.
He was an Operation Officer and later Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations in Liberia. Also, he had the unique privilege of having commanded with distinction all through the chain of command in the Nigerian Army.
He was at different times Commanding Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army. He was one-time Theatre Commander Operation Lafiya Dole.