The death of Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff and other generals in an air crash has worsened the country’s security challenges, President The President Muhammadu Buhari has said.
General Ibrahim Attahiru, the COAS 10 other military officers died late Friday when the aircraft in which they were flying crashed close to Abuja Airport.
Buhari said he was pained that the unfortunate incident took place at a time the country is battling security problems.
The President spoke while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Governors Forum at the presidential villa, Abuja, who came to condole with him on the death of the senior military officers.
“This is a situation that only God knows when it will happen and it happened at a time when the security situation in the country is a fundamental issue.
“And to lose choice officers has increased our problem but we know what we are in for and we will continue to work hard and pray hard so that God will give us the power to appreciate and apply ourselves to the problem.
“The people who elected us, they know the promises we made within the time…the circumstances which we find ourselves…we will keep on trying and continue to do our best.”
On his part, the chairman of the Nigerian Governors Forum, Dr Kayodi Fayemi, said expressed sadness over the death of the officers.
“We’ve read your statement and this delegation of governors considers it a duty and as part of our obligation as your representatives to commiserate with you over the loss of your gallant officers.
“We know it is an event that has touched you. When we mentioned the necessity for a change of service chiefs, you were determined to get the best set of people, you gave your assurance and the military was beginning to feel the impact.
“We know that this is a major blow and you’re unrelenting in your quest/commitment to ensure peace and security in our country.
“It’s unfortunate the losses we have suffered. We only pray God gives both the families and the country the fortitude to bear the loss, pray that God gives our country greater resolve to continue on the path that the late COAS towed.
“For us, we must defeat banditry, insurgency and criminality. That’s the mandate you gave them. This should not lead to any retreat or surrender on our part.
“As you have promised, we know that our country will do everything to ensure that the administration will do all to take care of the families of the departed officers. It’s an indication of how protected the active officers would be.”
Other members of the delegation were Chairman of the All Progressives Congress, APC, National Caretaker Committee and Yobe state governor, Mai Mala Buni, and Governor Sani Bello of Niger State.
