President Muhammadu Buhari has directed that the Nigerian flag be flown at half-mast in honour of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 officers who died in a plane crash on Friday.
President Buhari also declared Monday, 24 May as a public holiday to members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“President Buhari has directed that the national flag Flag of Nigeria be flown at half-mast in all public buildings and official residences across the country, from Mon May 24 to Wed May 26, 2021, in honour of the late COAS and other military officers who died in Friday’s plane crash.
“The President has also approved Monday May 24, 2021 as a work-free day for members of the Nigerian Armed Forces,” the Presidency said in a series of tweets on Sunday.
President Buhari in his tribute to Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff, described him as an outstanding soldier and an institution builder, who fought valiantly for Nigeria until he breathed his last.
In a telephone conversation Sunday evening with Mrs. Fati Ibrahim Attahiru, the wife of the late COAS and the spouses of the other deceased officers through her, President Buhari hailed the sacrifices of the military men who lost their lives and the Armed Forces in general, saying that Nigerians will continue to appreciate and support the fearlessness with which our courageous soldiers are confronting the threats facing the nation.
He gave the grieving spouses assurances that the nation will never forget the supreme sacrifice of their spouses, urging them to take solace in the surge of extraordinary feelings of emotions across regions, religions and tribes all over the country in appreciation of their sacrifices.
The President who had earlier given directives to the Defense headquarters and the Ministry of Defence to do everything a government can do to provide comfort and ease the hardships of the families of the deceased, prayed to Almighty God to repose their souls and grant their families the fortitude to bear the losses.
Mrs Attahiru, on behalf of the rest of the families thanked the President for the love and care he has shown to them.
