Nigerian army chief dies in plane crash

KOLA SULAIMON / AFP

Nigeria's army chief, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, died in an air force plane crash on Friday.

He was on an official visit to the northern state of Kaduna, which has had security challenges in recent months.

The air force said in a statement that its plane crashed near Kaduna airport and that it was investigating the cause.

The presidency added that other military officers were also killed in the crash.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a presidency statement, described the crash as a "mortal blow ... at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country."

Nigeria, Africa's most populous nation, has had poor air safety record in the past, although it has improved in recent years.

Buhari appointed Attahiru alongside other military chiefs in January after years of mounting criticism over spreading violence by insurgents and armed gangs.

More from International News

  • American Cardinal Prevost elected new pope

    US Cardinal Robert Prevost was elected in a surprise choice to be the new leader of the Catholic Church on Thursday, taking the name Leo XIV, becoming the first American pontiff.

  • White smoke emerges, signalling new pope is elected

    White smoke appeared from a chimney atop the Sistine Chapel at the Vatican on Thursday, signalling that the 133 Roman Catholic cardinals meeting in a secret conclave have elected a new pope.

  • Bill Gates to give away $200 billion by 2045

    Bill Gates has pledged to give away almost his entire personal wealth in the next two decades and said the world's poorest would receive some $200 billion via his foundation at a time when governments worldwide are slashing international aid.

  • Reports of explosions, blackout in India's Jammu

    Blasts rang out across the city of Jammu in Indian Kashmir late on Thursday during what Indian military sources said they suspected was a Pakistani drone attack on the second day of clashes between the two neighbours.

  • Ukraine's cities quiet as Kremlin-sponsored ceasefire kicks in

    A three-day ceasefire declared by Russia came into effect on Thursday morning with skies over Ukraine's major cities quiet, in a change from successive nights of heavy attacks by Russian drones and ballistic missiles.

News