Military Air Crash: Saudi Arabia’s King Salman condoles with Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has received a commiseratory call from the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman Bin Abdulaziz, over the death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other military officers.

Attahiru and the military officers were on board in an air crash at the Kaduna airport last Friday, May 21.

Announcing the call of the Saudi king on Monday, the Senior Special Assistant to the President, Garba Shehu in a statement said the monarch showed support with Nigeria after the tragedy.

Shehu said, “The Saudi King expressed full solidarity with Nigeria following this national tragedy.

“President Buhari and the King exchanged pleasantries on the occasion of the Eid which was marked after the 30-day Ramadan fast and prayed for peace, security and progress in the two nations and the subregions.

“The Saudi King also prayed for the repose of the souls of the military men who lost their lives.

“The conversation by both leaders also covered the deep-rooted ties between the two countries and ways to bolster them across various sectors.

“President Buhari expressed happiness with the King and thanked him for standing with Nigeria in all situations.”

Shehu added that Buhari also received a message of commiseration from Archbishop Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the Nigerian-born Secretary-General of the Anglican Communion in London.

“Archbishop Idowu-Fearon prayed for the President and the country as the nation mourns the Chief of Army Staff and his top lieutenants at a time when their services were most needed,” Shehu stated.