The absence of President Muhammadu Buhari and Vice President Yemi Osinbajo at the burial of the late Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru, on Saturday has attracted criticism from some Nigerians.
As previously reported by Truetells Nigeria, Attahiru and some others died on Friday in a military plane crash which occurred close to the Kaduna Airport.
The remains of their bodies were moved to Abuja on Saturday for burial.
After prayers at the National Mosque and the Nigerian Air Force Protestant Church respectively, the bodies were laid to rest in full military honours at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja, the nation’s capital.
However, the obvious absence of President Buhari and Vice President Osinbajo didn’t go unnoticed by Nigerians who took to Twitter to express their views.
Former presidential aide, Reno Omokri wote: “@MBuhari called General Attahiru a “hero”, but he did not attend his funeral just 15 miles from Aso Rock. Yet, he travelled 4000 miles to Paris.
“Even @ProfOsinbajo did not attend, yet he traveled 2500 miles to Kampala. Why will anyone then want to die for Nigeria? ”
Below are some other reactions as well.
It will be recalled that earlier on Friday, President Muhammadu Buhari expressed sadness over the deaths of the Chief of Army Staff, Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, and others who died in a plane crash.
Naija News had earlier reported that an aircraft that conveyed Attahiru and some other military officers crashed in Kaduna.
President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement released through his spokesman, Femi Adesina, said the deceased officers will not die in vain.
“President Muhammadu Buhari is deeply saddened over the air crash that claimed the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers.”
“The President condoles with families of the deceased, the military, and Nigerians in general, describing them as “heroes who paid the ultimate price for peace and security in the land.”
“While praying that God receives the souls of the patriots, the President says the crash “is one mortal blow to our underbelly, at a time our armed forces are poised to end the security challenges facing the country.
“The President pledged that the departed would not die in vain.”