Buhari calls Attahiru’s wife, says late army chief was an outstanding soldier

President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with Fati, wife of late Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, via a telephone call.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers died in an air crash near the Kaduna international airport on Friday.

Their remains were buried at the national military cemetery in the federal capital territory (FCT) on Saturday.

In a statement on Sunday, Garba Shehu, presidential spokesman, said the president described the army chief as an outstanding soldier who fought valiantly for Nigeria until his death.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has described Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff as an outstanding soldier and an institution builder, who fought valiantly for Nigeria until he breathed his last,” Shehu said in the statement.

“In a telephone conversation Sunday evening with Mrs. Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, the wife of the late COAS, and the spouses of the other deceased officers through her, President Buhari hailed the sacrifices of the military men who lost their lives and the Armed Forces in general, saying that Nigerians will continue to appreciate and support the fearlessness with which our courageous soldiers are confronting the threats facing the nation.

“He gave the grieving spouses assurances that the nation will never forget the supreme sacrifice of their spouses, urging them to take solace in the surge of extraordinary feelings of emotions across regions, religions and tribes all over the country in appreciation of their sacrifices.”

The spokesman said Buhari has given directives to the ministry of defence and defence headquarters to provide comfort to the families of the deceased officers.

“Mrs Attahiru, on behalf of the rest of the families, thanked the President for the love and care he has shown to them,” Shehu said.