President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed sadness over the death of Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, and other officers who were involved in the air crash that occurred in Kaduna on Friday.
The military aircraft crashed on Friday evening around the Kaduna international airport.
Attahiru and 11 other officers were said to be on board the aircraft.
In a statement by Femi Adesina, presidential spokesman, Buhari described the incident as a “mortal blow” to the country.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers,” the statement reads.
“The President condoles with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as ‘heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.’
“While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash ‘is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.’
“The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.”
Attahiru was appointed as army chief in January.