Death of late army chief, a national disaster, says Lawan

The President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, has described the tragic death of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military officers in an aircraft crash on Friday as a national disaster of immense proportion.

Lawan, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Ola Awoniyi, late Friday night, lamented that the unfortunate development has thrown the entire nation into mourning.

He expressed deep sadness over the tragic death of the late military officers who were on an official trip to Kaduna.

The statement read in part, “I extend my heartfelt condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff and the entire members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria over this tragedy.

“This incident is saddening, coming at a time there is a fresh momentum in the nation’s war against insurgency, banditry, and other violent crimes.

“The Chief of Army Staff and the other officers gave their lives for the security and unity of Nigeria and will be remembered as heroes in the history of the country.

“I commiserate with the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Muhammadu Buhari, and the families of the deceased over the tragic incident and wish the departed souls eternal peace,” Lawan said.