Abuja: A military plane crashed during a landing in Nigeria, killing all 10 people on board, including Army Chief Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Atahrio.
According to the international news agency, the passenger plane could not maintain its balance during landing at Kaduna International Airport in Nigeria and crashed near the runway, which caused a fire in the plane.
The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.
— Nigerian Army (@HQNigerianArmy) May 21, 2021
The plane was carrying senior military officials, including the country’s army chief, who were killed in the crash. The accident was reportedly caused by bad weather.
A statement from the Nigerian military said an inquiry committee had been set up to determine the cause of the crash but did not name the other military officers killed in the crash.
Deeply saddened by the air crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers. All of them are heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 21, 2021
Nigeria’s army chief, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Atahrio, was considered a trusted ally of President Muhammadu Buhari and was appointed by the president to crack down on anti-presidential protests and insurgents in the country.
