Final Farewell: How Disagreement Between Army, Family Slightly Delayed COAS, Attahiru's Burial

The burial of Attahiru

According to a report by The PUNCH, there was a slight disagreement on Saturday between the family of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, and the Nigerian Army over the COAS’ burial.

The disagreement led to a short delay of the COAS’ interment as his family insisted that he must be buried without a coffin in accordance with Islamic injunction.

But some senior army officers argued that Attahiru’s remains would be buried according to military traditions.

After some time, the family was convinced by the superior arguments and the grave was widened to accommodate the coffin.

Attahiru and 10 other military officers were involved in a crash on Friday at the Kaduna International Airport.

It was reported that the aircraft conveying the military officers, with registration number 5N-R203, was billed to land at the Nigerian Airforce Base in the Mando area of Kaduna but diverted to land at the civil airport due to inclement weather.

Apart from Attahiru, other victims were Brigadier Generals Ahmed Kuliya, O Olayinka, and MI Abdulkadir; Majors N Hamza, LA Hayat; Sergeants O Adesina, and Umar; as well as Aircraftman OM Oyedepo, Flt Lt TO Asaniyi, and Flt Lt AA Olufade.