President Muhammadu Buhari has said the deaths of Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, Chief of Army Staff, and 10 other military officers last Friday in an air crash in Kaduna have worsened the insecurity challenges in the country.
The president made this observation yesterday when a delegation of the Nigeria Governors Forum, NGF, led by Governor Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti State paid him a condolence visit.
He said: “This is a situation that only God knows when it will happen and it happened at a time when the security situation in the country is a fundamental issue.
“And to lose choice officers has increased our problem but we know what we are in for and we will continue to work hard and pray hard so that God will give us the power to appreciate and apply ourselves to the problem.
“The people who elected us, they know the promises we made within the time…the circumstances which we find ourselves…we will keep on trying and continue to do our best.”
Governor Fayemi said the death of the officers was a big blow. “We know that this is a major blow and you’re unrelenting in your quest/commitment to ensure peace and security in our country,” he said.
“It’s unfortunate the losses we have suffered. We only pray God gives both the families and the country the fortitude to bear the loss, pray that God gives our country greater resolve to continue on the path that the late COAS towed.
“For us, we must defeat banditry, insurgency, and criminality. That’s the mandate you gave them. This should not lead to any retreat or surrender on our part.
“As you have promised, we know that our country will do everything to ensure that the administration will do all to take care of the families of the departed officers. It’s an indication of how protected the active officers would be.”