The Executive Governor of Osun State, Adegboyega Oyetola has also reacted to the death of the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other officers.
Oyetola described the sad incident as shocking and devastating.
WITHIN NIGERIA had earlier reported that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, has died in a plane crash with some of his aides. Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet, Nigerian Air Force Director of Information confirmed the mishap in a statement.
Commiserating with President Muhammadu Buhari and the families of the deceased, Oyetola urged Nigerians not to mourn like unbelievers.
This was contained in a statement released on Saturday by Mr Ismail Omipidan, the Chief Press Secretary to Osun state governor.
“The late COAS was a brave, assertive and distinguished army General who gave his best to his country by leading the war against insurgency in the NorthEast and banditry in other parts of the country from the front.
“For me, the death of the COAS was shocking and devastating. On behalf of the Government and the good people of Osun, I commiserate with President Muhammadu Buhari, Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky E.O Irabor and the entire country on the unfortunate death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and other persons on board the ill-fated aircraft. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the deceased. May God grant their souls eternal rest,” the governor said.
“But as we mourn, I urge us all not to mourn like unbelievers who don’t believe in the existence of God and life after death. Both Islam and Christianity preach that no leaf can fall from the tree without the knowledge of the Almighty, the creator of heaven and earth, the knower and seer of all things, long before they were planned and before they happened.
“Let’s mourn like Muslims and Christians who know God and pray for the repose of the souls of the deceased while praying God to grant the families they left behind and us all the courage and fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
“The COAS was a gallant officer, an administrator par excellence and an uncommon patriot who gave his best to the fatherland. May Allah grants him Aljanat Firdaus,” Oyetola added.