Defence Headquarters Orders Probe into Air Crash

Defence Headquarters Orders Probe into Air Crash

*Condoles with families of officers, restates commitment to war against insurgency

Kingsley Nwezeh in Abuja

The Defence Headquarters (DHQ) Friday night ordered a probe into the circumstances sorrounding the air crash that killed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 officers and crew members.

A statement issued by the Director, Defence Information (DDI), Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, said the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor, ordered the constitution of an accident investigation board to probe the air mishap.

“The Chief of Defence Staff, (CDS) General Lucky Irabor, has therefore directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident”, he said.

The statement reads: “It is with a heavy heart that the Armed Forces of Nigeria (AFN) regrets to announce that this evening at about 1800 Hours, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru in company of his entourage, who were on official trip from Abuja to Kaduna, were involved in an air mishap.

“The unfortunate incident occurred after landing at the Kaduna International Airport due to inclement weather. The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) General Lucky Irabor has therefore directed that an Accident Investigation Board be constituted to unravel the immediate and remote cause(s) of the unfortunate accident”.

“As we pray for the repose of the souls of our gallant and committed Chief of Army Staff and other personnel on board with him, the AFN solicits the support and understanding of all Nigerians in the face of this tragic incident. We wish to state that the Armed Forces of Nigeria remains resolute in combatting the security challenges bedeviling our nation. The sacrifices of our dearly departed heroes will not be in vain”.

It said the CDS urged “all military personnel and their families to take heart and be condoled on this tragic loss. The CDS also reassures all Nigerians of the commitment and loyalty of the Armed Forces of Nigeria to the Constitution and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as it continues to carry out its responsibilities”.

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