Eyewitnesses have alleged that two men jumped off the plane carrying the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, before it crashed on Friday evening.
His tweet read, ” General Ibrahim Attahiru’ s death: There are eyewitnesses reports that two men jumped from the plane with parachutes and disappeared. #Kaduna #Kadumaplanecrash #RestInPeace #ChiefofArmyStaff” .
It was initially reported that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru and others onboard the plane died in an air crash around 6: 00 p. m. on Friday.
The military Beechcraft 350 conveying them crashed at Kaduna International Airport.
” An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon, ” the NAF Director of Public Relations and Information, Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.
Also, Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Mohammed Yerima, in a statement, said, ” The Nigerian Army regrets to announce the passing away of its Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru. The sad event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew. ”
Below are the names of men and officers who died in the plane crash:
COAS ENTOURAGE
1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA.
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA.
5. MAJ LA HAYAT.
6. MAJ HAMZA.
7. SGT UMAR.
CREW
8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
10. SGT ADESINA.
11. ACM OYEDEPO.
However, one of the eyewitnesses who spoke in pidgin English gave the account of the incident in a viral video and revealed that two men escaped from the plane crash with the help of parachutes.
Watch the video below:
The victims of the crash have been buried today. May their souls rest in peace.
