Air Crash: FG declares today, Monday, ‘work free’ for armed forces

THE Federal Government has declared today, Monday, May 24, a work-free day for all personnel of the armed forces.

The national flag is also to fly at half-mast for three days in all public buildings in honour of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru, who, along with 10 other senior military officers and service members, perished in the Nigerian Air Force plane crash on Friday.

The declaration was contained in a circular issued late yesterday by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, titled: ‘National flag to fly at half-mast in honour of late Chief of Army Staff and others that have paid the supreme price,’ the statement read:

The statement read: “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorised 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 is to honour the memory and services of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, 10 senior military and service members who lost their lives in the plane crash on Friday 21st May, 2021.

“The President has similarly approved a work-free day for members of the Armed Forces on Monday 24th May, 2021.”

The remains of the military officers were buried at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on Saturday after it had been moved from the 44 Nigerian Army Referral Hospital, Kaduna to the National Mosque and the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church in Abuja for prayers.

The Army Chief and the other officers were on an official visit to Kaduna when their aircraft was involved in the mishap that claimed their lives.

The late officers were: Lt. General I Attahiru, Brigadier-General MI Abdulkadir, Brigadier-General Olayinka, Brigadier-General Kuliya, Major LA Hayat, Major Hamza and Sergeant Umar. 

Others were Flight-Lieutenant TO Asaniyi, Flight-Lieutenant AA Olufade, Sergeant Adesina and ACM Oyedepo.