Buhari declares three days mourning for late Chief of Army Staff, Attahiru, orders national flag to fly at half mast

President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday declared three days mourning for the late Chief of Arny Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in the crash of a military plane in Kaduna on Friday, with some other military officers. The late COAS, Attahiru, and 10 other officers who died in the military plane crash in Kaduna were committed to the mother earth on Saturday at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Boss Mustapha, in a statement on Sunday, indicated that President Buhari has directed that the national flag be flown at half-mast in all public buildings, facilities, and official residence across the country. He added that the directive is with effect from Monday to Wednesday.

The SGF explained that the presidential directive was to honour the memory and services of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, as well as the senior military officers and service members who died in a plane crash on Friday.

Mustapha disclosed that President Buhari has approved Monday a work-free day for officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Other officers who died in the crash included Brigadier-General MI Abdulkadir, Brigadier-General Olayinka, Brigadier-General Kuliya, Major LA Hayat, Major Hamza and Sergeant Umar.

Others include Flight-Lieutenant TO Asaniyi, Flight-Lieutenant AA Olufade, Sergeant Adesina, and ACM Oyedepo.