PHOTO: Zulum, Shettima, Kyari join VIPs for funeral of late COAS in Abuja

Borno Governor, Professor Babagana Umara Zulum, Senator Kashim Shettima and Senator Abubakar Kyari on Saturday joined top dignitaries and hundreds of sympathizers for the jana’iza (funeral prayers) of the late Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru.

The funeral held around 1:30 at the national mosque in Abuja, was attended by the senate president, Dr Ahmad Ibrahim Lawan, Governor of Yobe state, Mai Mala Buni, chief of staff to the President, Professor Ibrahim Gambari, Minister of Defence, the Sultan of Sokoto, Inspector General of Police, Comptroller General of Immigration, amongst other serving and former public office holders, top military officers, families, friends and associates of the late COAS.

Bodies of the late COAS and five others were brought by military ambulances to the national mosque for the funeral prayers that took place immediately after zuhr prayers.

The late chief of army staff had since his appointment, been to Borno
state more than six times, to  supervise ongoing military operations
against Boko Haram. He had visited different army formations, mobilize
and motivated troops in front lines in peace building efforts.

In
his comment, Borno Governor, Professor Zulum said the late chief of
staff was evidently committed to the fight against Boko Haram and was
determined to significantly contribute to ending the insurgency.

“The
commitment of the late chief of army staff to the fight against Boko
Haram was very obvious. Within the short time he served, he had been to
Borno on multiple occasions, meeting operational commanders and troops
at battle fronts. In all his interactions, he regularly motivated
troops. The people of Borno thank him and all our gallant fallen heroes
for their unquantifiable service to Borno and rest of Nigeria” Zulum
said.