COAS, others’ death: Remain strong, CDS tells troops

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Lucky Irabor on Monday charged troops to stop agonizing over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and 10 other officers in a plane crash in Kaduna on Friday.

Speaking at Attahiru’s residence in Abuja during the three-day Fidau prayers, the CDS urged the troops to remain strong and focus on their constitutional roles.

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“My message to members of the Armed Forces of Nigeria is that they should remain steadfast and committed to their constitutional roles in this trying period. Their spirit should not be dampened by the unfortunate incident,’’ Irabor said.

Director Islamic Affairs, Nigerian Army, Brig.-Gen., Shehu Garba Mustapha, who led the prayers, sought God’s intervention in the insecurity in Nigeria.He also prayed that God grant Nigerian leaders the wisdom and strength to pilot the affairs of the nation.

The also prayed for the repose of the souls of the late officers and fortitude for their families to bear the losses.

Those who attended the prayers included the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Oladayo Amao; a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazzau; Chairman, National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency, Buba Marwa; Chairman, Senate Committee on Army, Senator Ali Ndume; a former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako; among others.