The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Tukur Buratai, says his successor, Ibrahim Attahiru, was on the verge of making the nation proud before his tragic death.

Mr Buratai, an ambassador-designate, in his tribute to late Mr Attahiru, said he was making tremendous progress in the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts when the tragedy occurred.

He described the incident as tragic to all Nigerians and peace-loving people, adding that Mr Attahiru and the officers that died with him were top-level officers whose records of service were meritorious.

According to him, the unfortunate incident deeply saddens him as it robbed Nigeria of the services of Mr Attahiru who had left no one in doubt as regards his determination to succeed in the various military operations across the country.

“He was on the verge of making the nation proud in the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts when this tragedy occurred. I do not doubt his ability as he had served under me in various capacities and was well-grounded for the job with active support and collaboration of his colleagues.

“I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the passing away of my immediate successor, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, the Acting Chief of Military Intelligence, Acting Provost Marshal (Army), his Chief of Staff, the Aide-de-Camp and the Acting Deputy Director Finance in the office of the COAS, his Orderly, as well as the pilots and crew in an air crash on May 21 at Kaduna Airport.

“I would like to, on behalf of my family, reiterate my deepest sympathy and condolences to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, the families of the deceased, the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Air Staff, gallant officers, soldiers and airmen of the Armed Forces of Nigeria over the passing away of these courageous, loyal and patriotic Nigerians in line of duty,” he said.

Mr Buratai urged the armed forces to close ranks and make sure that the legacy of the officers lives on by consolidating on the gains made in the various operations.

According to him, they gave their lives in the line of duty and patriotic service to the nation.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these great heroes. May the Almighty Allah grant them eternal rest,” he said.

Blackdisciple:
Who called this incompetent COAS on this

Attahiru was in the verge of making the nation proud by bombing SE abi, by emptying her military strength from NE were hell has been set loose to the South abi.
Some one should clap for Burantashi

tojahh:
You're a mumu man

njelrapheal:
Yea like decimating bh and iswap , but unsurprisingly, those are your business models

nairalee:
BURAtai Abi Burantashi Go and sit down

On the verge... On the verge

Why don't u pick up from that verge and complete it?

All these people just talk anyhow cos they see Nigeria as a zoo and Nigerians as kindergarten children.

Franzinni:
hmm is there a code in this magana? On the verge of making Nigeria proud then he summarily was executed sorry... Died by crash.

On the verge .. hmm

Well he is dead along with the knowledge of what was beyond that verge.

RIP

Poloyanabo2:
I've never heard of people publicly speaking bad of dead people, so I guess he's only flattering him.
A coas that seemed clueless?
Under him Bh and Iswap occupied vast swathes of land in the NE and publicly recruited and shared cash and even conducted prayers?
A man that started deductions of 10k from each non-commissioned officer's salary for an imaginary housing scheme?
Under him blind airstrikes conducted in areas in the south that weren't war zones?

I don't know if proud has changed meaning or who the Nigerians you meant are but I think this man really underperformed.

chatinent:
Audio feelings.

Rightly said, he was “heartless.”