From Bilkisu Kambai, Jos
The Northern Governors Forum has expressed shock over the death of the chief of army staff Lt. Gen.Ibrahim Attahiru in an air crash involving an airforce plane in Kaduna.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement made available to newsmen through his Director of press and Public affairs Makut Simon Macham in jos.
Lalong said, the Forum was distressed over the sad incident which claimed the lives of the Army Chief and other officers and men of the Nigerian armed forces who were on an official assignment in the cause of advancing the security and peace of the country.
He said this is another sad day in the history of the nation as it has lost patriotic Nigerians who gave their lives to the defence of the territorial integrity of the country, and also ensuring that its citizens live in peace and security.
The northern Governors chairman said Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was a committed soldier whose passion for defending Nigeria was very clear throughout his military career even before his appointment as the Chief of Army Staff.
Lalong said, Since his appointment, they have engaged him likewise individually as Governors towards enhancing the security and safety of their States, region and the nation at large.
He said, Within the few months he held the position, they have seen improvements and high resolve to bringing an end to insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other criminal activities and have been working on consolidating this before the tragic incident that took his life and that of others working with him.
Lalong while condoling with the the President and Commander in Chief Muhammadu Buhari, the Nigerian Army, families of the deceased officers and men, as well as the entire Nigerian Armed Forces said the sad event was deeply regrettable but should not deter the Armed Forces from giving their best in the service of the nation just as the deceased COAS, officers and men did before their tragic death.
He prayed God to grant the deceased eternal rest and comfort their families.