President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered the Nigerian flag to be flown at half mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences for three days in honor of the late Chief of Army Staff, Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other officers who died in a plane crash on Friday night.
The president also approved Monday, May 24, 2021, as a work-free day for members of the armed forces.
Recall that the Chief of Army Staff and the military officers were on official assignment to Zaria, Kaduna State when the military plane crashed at the Kaduna Airport.
The burial ceremony of the victims was held at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja; and had in attendance many dignitaries, Governors and military officials. However, President Muhammadu Buhari and his vice, Yemi Osinbajo were both absent from the event.
In a statement signed by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, released on Sunday night, Buhari mandated all government facilities and buildings to fly the country’s flag at half-mast effectively from “Monday 24th to Wednesday 26th May, 2021” in honor of the late officers.
The statement read, “His Excellency, Muhammadu Buhari, President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria has authorized that the National Flag should be flown at half- mast in all public buildings, facilities and official residences with effect from Monday 24th to Wednesday 26h May, 2021.
“This approval is to honor the memory and services of the Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt General lbrahim Attahiru, ten senior military and service members who lost their lives in the plane crash on Friday 21st May, 2021.”
