The House of Representatives Committee on Airforce has described as painful and shocking the unfortunate death of the Chief of Army staff, Ibrahim Atahiru (Leiutenant General) and eleven others on board the plane that crashed Friday’s evening enroute Kaduna.
Chairman of the Committee, Shehu Koko APC in a statement at the weekend said the news came to him as a shock, having embarked on an official duty to Makurdi, Benue State on Thursday with the late Chief of Army Staff.
He said: “The news of the crash is still a shock to me as I am aware of his hard work and tour to states across the Federation in a bid to find a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the country.
“It is unfortunate that this is coming at a time when the country’s service chiefs are doing everything possible to win the war against insurgency in Nigeria. This is painful and shocking, as I condole with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Military, Nigerian Army and Airforce.
Koko said he is not unmindful of the military dedication and gallant efforts to secure the country, tasking them not to relent in their fight against insurgency in Nigeria.
The lawmaker while praying for the families of the deceased to bear the irreparable loss, urged the Nigerian military to sustain the fight and synergy in the interest of the country.
He said the Nigerian military has lost a dedicated and gallant officer whose service to fatherland will be sorely missed.
