Some great Nigerians have expressed outrage over the gruesome killing of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (retd), former Chief of Defence Staff by unknown gunmen along Abuja-Keffi Road Tuesday night.
President Muhammadu Buhari has described the killing as “very sad and unfortunate.”
Peoples Democratic Party, PDP presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, on his part, blamed the rising insecurity in the country for the death of Badeh.
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State, Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum and the Southwest Zone of the PDP also condemned the killing of Badah.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on his part extended his condolences to the Nigeria military, the entire people of Adamawa State and the family of the former defence chief.
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, in his reaction to the development at the Chief of Air Staff Conference in Abuja, Wednesday, vowed that the air force would leave no stone unturned until the persons behind the killing of the former chief of air staff were found.
In a statement through Mr. Femi Adesina, his special adviser on media and publicity, President Buhari commiserated with the family of the late four-star general, his friends and professional colleagues in the military, and the people and government of Adamawa State.
President Buhari regretted that he fell victim to incidence of violent and fatal attacks on the nation’s highways.
He directed security agencies to find the killers of the former defence chief and bring them to trial even as he assured of greater security and safety for all users of the country’s roads.
Atiku while lamenting the killing of the former defence chief, however, said that it was not an unusual development as he said that it made headlines only because of who the late Badeh was.
According to him several other Nigerians were being killed on a daily basis because of the rising insecurity in the country by what he termed the failures of the current administration, which according to him has lost the initiative to criminals.
In a statement, yesterday, by Mr. Phrank Shaibu, his Special Assistant on Public Communication, Atiku said had gunmen not waylaid the vehicle in which Alex Badeh was travelling, he would not have sustained the gun shots and the health complications that terminated his life.
Atiku described the late Badeh as a fine officer who was in regular contact with officers and men irrespective of position.
Former President Goodluck Jonathan on his part extended his condolences to the Nigeria military, the entire people of Adamawa State and the family of the former defence chief.
Jonathan in a statement by his media adviser, Ikechukwu Eze, regretted the fact that Badeh who rose to the peak of his military career before his retirement was murdered in cold blood, at a time he could still be of service to his fatherland.
He urged the security agencies to swiftly unmask those behind what he called a dastardly act.
Meanwhile, uneasy calm and mourning enveloped Adamawa State, Wednesday, as the people woke up to the sad news of the murder of Air Chief Marshal Badeh, as the state governor Muhammed Jibrilla, described his incident as shocking and unfortunate.
The Southern and Middle Belt Leaders Forum on its part in a statement expressed sadness over Badeh’s murder, saying that the action showed that the country was on the precipice.
In a statement by Mr Yinka Odumakin (South West), Prof Chigozie Ogbu (South East), Senator Bassey Ewa-Henshaw (South South) and Dr Isuwa Dogo (Middle Belt), the forum said the killing has shown the degeneration of the country’s security situation.
The statement reads: “It is a sad commentary on the degeneration of security situation in Nigeria that a former Chief of Defence Staff could be killed like a fowl on the street and no word from the government in a classic replay of the failure of leadership that stalks our land presently.”
S’West PDP calls for probe
However, the PDP in the South West has called for a thorough investigation into the issue.
The party in a statement by its Zonal Publicity Secretary, Ayo Fadaka in Akure said that “This killing of a high profile Nigerian is absolutely uncommon and we posit that there lies more beneath the scene that must be unearthed through diligent investigation.”
We will find the killers – Chief of Air Staff
Meanwhile, the Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Abubakar, has said that the service was still in shock over the issue as he vowed that every power of the air force would be deployed to find out the culprits.
Speaking at the Fourth Quarter Chief of Air Staff Conference, Wednesday, in Abuja, the air force chief said: “We are in no doubt in the state of shock of what happened Tuesday when the former CDS was killed along Keffi-Abuja road.
“The entire Air Force family is shocked about the incident and we are expressing our condolence to the wife and children of Air Chief Marshal Badeh.”
He explained that the NAF was working very closely since Tuesday to find those behind the heinous crime, and said “by the special grace of God, we will get them and they will face justice.”
Governor Okowa in a statement by Mr Charles Aniagwu, his Chief Press Secretary, condemned in strongest terms the killing of the retired general who dedicated his lifetime to the service of his country.
The governor tasked security agencies in the country to rise to the occasion by unmasking the assailants and bringing them to justice.
On his part, Adamawa State governor, Jibrilla called on the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of this evil are brought to book and quickly too.
He said, “Badeh is an illustrious son of Adamawa and his contributions to fighting insurgency and physical development will be appreciated for a long time to come, “he added.
Family denies media report that wife, children staying away from burial
There are growing concerns on the circumstances surrounding last Tuesdays murder of the former Chief of Defence Staff,Air Chief Marshal Alex, given that all his four security aides who were with him at the time were left unhurt.
But his driver was not lucky as he was reportedly shot in the hand just as his farm manager, identified only as Engr. Joel was taken away by the alleged assassins.
It was gathered that the former Chief of Air Staff was the only one killed by the unknown gunmen Tuesday, on Keff-Abuja Road.
Speaking to Vanguard, Wednesday, at the deceased Abuja house, located at No.2, Nelson Mandela Street, Asokoro, a family member who, who did not want his name in print said the Killing of their brother was a clear case of assassination given the circumstance under which it happened.
“From what we have seen so far, it’s a clear case of assassination,” he said.
He condemned media report which insinuated that the wife and children of the late Defence Chief abroad will likely not turn up for his burial to evade arrest and denial of subsequent return by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
“There’s no truth in what the media reported. In fact, as I speak to you now, the wife is on her way to Nigeria. We are in pain and we begged that we be allowed to mourn our beloved brother in peace,” he said.
Also speaking to Vanguard, one of the early mourners and Senator representing Adamawa North, Binta Masi, condemned the killing of Alex Badeh.
He said it was an indication no one was safe in the country.
She said:”The demise of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh came to us as a shock, it is rather unfortunate. Our shock is that such thing happened to a person of his repute in the security force.
“For a former Chief of Defence Staff and a Chief of Air Staff to be assassinated in such a manner, it is rather unfortunate.
“It is with great heart that we are all here to mourn him and to condole the family. He stands like a big brother and uncle to me. The last time we spoke was before my primary election and he gave me some words of encouragement that he was solidly behind me only for me to hear the shocking news. It’s painful but as human, every living being is wearing that garment only that we don’t know when our time will come and how.
“Unfortunately, Nigeria is facing some security challenges and the one I could not find joy is that after killing the man, what’s the point kidnapping his farm manager and only God knows what will happen to such a person. But no matter what we will do, he’s gone and we pray that God should grant the family, the Nigerian Air Force and the air men all the fortitude to bear this great loss.
“Most especially, as a constituent of mine from Adamawa North Senatorial Zone, he is one person that the people of Mubi North and most especially Vimtim area. He did a lot for the state by even bringing the Air Force school to the state and had a lot of development that he did to his credit when he was alive.
“Those are the memories that will linger on for a very long time. But today, he’s gone. We don’t know who is next but we pray that God will give each and every Nigerian the grace to bear the losses we have been having here and there due to security challenges and we pray to the almighty God to bring about total peace, stability and prosperity for our great nation.”
Meanwhile, hundreds of dignitaries were at the deceased Abuja home Wednesday, on condolence visits.
