COAS, Attahiru,10 others buried amidst tears
The burial of the Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and ten other senior officers took place today, Saturday, May 22, 2021, at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja amidst tears and wailing by colleagues, family members, friends and associates.
The late COAS, alongside other senior officers, died on Friday, May 21, in a plane crash while on an official trip to Kaduna State.
According to the step by step report by Premium Times, as of 12:39 p.m, Family, friends, colleagues and sympathisers of the deceased officers started arriving at the venue of the funeral, followed by the wife of the late Army Chief, Fatima Attahiru, and wife of one of the late generals, identified as Kuliya.
At 12:41 p.m, the Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Oladayo, an air Marshall, concluded his remarks about the late Mr Attahiru and other officers who died in the plane crash.
He described the fallen officers as patriotic and selfless all through their service to the country.
At 12:47 p.m, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, walked into the venue and his presence was recognised by the priest in charge, D.B Gani.
At 12:51, Mr Gani commenced his teaching on ‘Confidence.’
Mr Gani implored all officers present to put their confidence in the Lord as confidence in one’s marriage, community and even worldly positions may let one down.
He concluded his preaching at exactly 1:05 p.m.
At 1:06 p.m, the priest invited the families of the deceased officers to the altar and raised some prayer points on their behalf.
Ministers of Defence, Bashir Magashi, Minister of Communications, Ali Pantami, NSA, Babagana Mongono and former defence minister, Mansur Dan Ali, were also in attendance.
The Muslim zuhur prayers followed immediately by the funeral prayers.
At 1:12 pm, the church sang the closing hymns amidst the heartbreaking cries of family members of the deceased military officers.
Also in attendance were Governor of Borno State, Babagana Zulum, the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali, Chief of Staff to the President, Ibrahim Gambari, and former Minister of Interior, Abdulrahman Danbazau.
Others included former Governors Kashim Shettima, Aliyu Wammako and the Director-General of SSS, Yusuf Bichi.
Other dignitaries at the burial prominent among them were Senate President Ahmed Lawan, and members of the National Assembly.
At 1:15 p.m, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, mounted the altar to deliver the message of President Muhammadu Buhari.
He described the moment as one filled with sorrow and grief.
Mr Mustapha said, “our safety is domicile in the confidence of God.”
He expressed the government’s deepest condolences and prayed for strength for the families of the deceased and the Nigerian Army at large to shoulder the loss.
“I extend the deepest condolences to the families of the late officers and the entire members of the Nigerian Army,” he said.
After the President condolences delivered by Boss Mustapha, the Caskets of late Nigerian Army officers left the church for National Military Cemetery.
See Photos below. Photo Credit: PREMIUM TIMES
Source: Premium Times
