The Chairman Senate committee on Airforce, Sen Bala Ibn Na’Allah has reacted to the plane crash which claimed the life of the Chief of Army Staff COAS Ibrahim Attahiru.
The late COAS and 10 others were said to be on their way to the Passing Out Parade of new army recruits billed to hold tomorrow, Saturday, at Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria when the military Beachcraft 350 aircraft conveying them crashed at the Kaduna international airport at about 6 pm.
Although information of the accident is still sketchy, there are indications that none of the 11 passengers on board the craft survived.
Full list of officers on board the ill-fated aircraft
1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU.
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA LUKMAN (Ag. PROVOST MARSHAL OF THE ARMY).
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA.
5. MAJ LA HAYAT.
6. MAJ HAMZA.
7. SGT UMAR.
CREW
8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
10. SGT ADESINA.
11. ACM OYEDEPO.
Confirming the incident the Chairman Senate committee on Airforce, Sen Bala Ibn Na’Allah expressed shock over the crash.
Ibn Na’Allah in a statement said: “I received with shock the incident involving the crash of the Nigerian Airforce Kingair 350 in which the Chief of Army Staff was traveling.
“While it’s saddening and unfortunate, I am greatly diminished by the sad news of the death of a perfect gentleman in name of Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru and other officers who paid the supreme price in the service of our great country.
“I on behalf of the Senate committee on Airforce convey our heartfelt condolence to the Nation, the Nigerian Army and the immediate family of the deceased.
“May Allah in his infinite mercy grant them Aljanna fidausi.”