Olayemi Esan, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has described Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, the late Chief of Army Staff as an outstanding soldier and an institution builder, who fought valiantly for Nigeria until he breathed his last.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on media and publicity, Garba Shehu made this known in a statement that the president in a telephone conversation on 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.
In the meantime, President Muhammadu Buhari, President has authorized that the National Flag should be flown at half- mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences with effect from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th May, 2021.
This approval was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary To the Government Of the Federation,Boss Mustapha
Boss said the directive was to honour the memory and services of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, ten senior military and service members who lost their lives in the plane crash on Friday 21 st May, 2021.
The President has similarly approved a work free day for members of the Armed Forces on Monday 24th May, 2021
