The remains of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten others have been laid to rest with very senior military and government officials present to pay their last respects.
General Attahiru and the others were on Friday 21st of May 2012, killed in a helicopter crash on their way to attend the pass out parade of the short service graduands in Kaduna state.
President Muhammadu Buhari who was represented at the funeral described the slained officers as gallant saying their deaths will not be in vain.
It was a solemn event where members of the family and military officers came to pay last respect to the dead officers and expectedly, it was conducted, the military way.
From graveside doxology, to firing of volley to lowering of the caskets as well as wreath laying guests defiled the scotchy sun to watch the performances.
President Buhari who was represented by the minister of Defence Bashir Magashi said the late chief of Army Staff and other dead offices were professional officers who dedicated their lives to national duty.
He said they would be missed especially now that the country is grappling with security challenges.
For the Chief of Defence Staff, the late Chief of Army Staff and others died for the love they have for the country.
In a touchy speech he rendered at the event, General Irabor said the former Chief of Army staff commanded all the departments he was deployed to during his reign, with distinction.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of the national flags to the next of kin to the deceased officers.
General Attahiru is the third head of a military formation that died in a plane crash after former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Joseph Akahan and former Chief of the Air Staff, Shittu Alao, both of whom died in plane crashes in 1968 and 1969 respectively.
Source: mikeosemeke.wordpress.com
