Garba Shehu
Published 26 May 2021
Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, has explained why his principal, Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd.) didn’t attend the burial of his late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, in Abuja on Saturday.
According to Shehu, the President stayed away from the burial because he didn’t want to inconvenience road users.
The Presidential aide spoke on Tuesday while featuring on an Arise TV programme monitored by
The PUNCH.
The PUNCH had earlier reported that the President was under fire last weekend when he was conspicuously absent from the burial at Attahiru.
Channels Television
Updated May 22, 2021
The United States Mission in Nigeria and the Government of the United Kingdom have condoled with the Federal Government over the demise of the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other officers.
The U.S Missions in a tweet described the incident as a tragic loss and assured that “in spite of this devastating loss, @USinNigeria remains confident that @DefenceInfoNG leaders will continue to strive toward peace and security for all Nigerians.”
The Diplomatic Mission also offered their deepest sympathy to the families of the deceased.
“We join Nigerians in mourning the tragic loss of life from today’s plane crash. The death of the Chief of @HQNigerianArmy Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru is a tremendous loss to Nigeria and his loved ones.
How COAS Attahiru, 10 others were buried with full military honours tribuneonlineng.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from tribuneonlineng.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
The burial ceremony started around 2.50 pm with a profile of the late COAS read.
A moment of silence was observed after which the fallen officers were honoured with a 21-gun salute.
The Guards of Honour performed the 21-gun salute for Late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja on May 22, 2021. Sodiq Adelakun/Channels Television
Dignitaries at the event include Senate President, Ahmad Lawan; the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha; the Chief of Defence Staff, General Leo Irabor; the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Isiaka Oladayo Amao; Kaduna State Governor, Nasir El-Rufai, the Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, among others.