The Nigerian Army on Wednesday buried its former chief Maj.-Gen. Chris Alli at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.
Alli died aged 79 in Lagos on November 19, 2023. He was Nigeria’s 15th chief of army staff from 1993 to 1994 under late dictator, Gen. Sani Abacha.
He was also military governor of Plateau from August 1985 to 1986 during the military regime of President lbrahim Babangida, as well as interim administrator of Plateau in 2004 under the civilian administration of President Olusegun Obasanjo.
The funeral was attended by the national security adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, who represented President Bola Tinubu; former head of state, Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar; Governor Yahaya Bello of Kogi, a representative of Plateau governor, and chief of army staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja.
Also in attendance were serving and former service chiefs and other prominent Nigerians and family members.
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The burial climaxed with the presentation of the national flag to Alli’s next-of-kin, and the laying of wreaths by dignitaries and the deceased’s wife, Dorothy Alli.
Before the burial, there was a funeral mass at St. Joseph Military Catholic Church, Mambilla Barracks Asokoro, Abuja.
In his remarks at the funeral, minister of defence Muhammed Badaru said the deceased served Nigeria with dedication and worked for peace, development and unity of the country.
Badaru, represented by the chief of defence staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, added that “the late former COAS achieved significant influence on professionalising and repositioning the army to be a force to reckon with in both regional and global scenes.”
Lagbaja said the deceased demonstrated passion and devotion to duty throughout his lifetime, which was characterised by love for country and service to humanity.
