The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), has dismissed stories making the round, that the driver to late Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh was dead.
This is just as it disclosed, that the driver who was also shot during the incident, was not dead but alive and recuperating extremely well at one of the NAF Hospitals.
In a statement by the Director of Public Relations & Information, Air Commodore Ibikunkle Daramola on Thursday, the NAF also dismissed reports alleging that adequate security was not provided for the deceased Air Chief Marshal.
According to the statement, Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full compliment of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status.
The statement read thus, “We have noted with dismay, some erroneous reports and comments in the media regarding the unfortunate incident that led to the death of former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, on 18 December 2018.
“Some of these reports erroneously state that the driver of the late former CDS, who was also shot during the incident, is dead. Other reports allege that adequate security was not provided for the deceased Air Chief Marshal.
“The NAF wishes to state categorically that nothing could be further from the truth. Firstly, all are please requested to note that the driver is alive and recuperating extremely well at one of our NAF Hospitals.
“Secondly, Air Chief Marshal Badeh has always been provided with the full compliment of personal staff and security personnel commensurate with his status as a former Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), CDS and a 4-star general in the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
“As mentioned by the CAS, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on 19 December 2018, the NAF is working closely with other relevant security agencies to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of the former CDS with a view to ensuring that the perpetrators of the heinous act are brought to justice.
“Substantial progress has already been made in the ongoing investigation and details would be communicated at the appropriate time.
“While appreciating the overwhelming show of support received from well-meaning Nigerians during this trying time, the NAF wishes to request that the spreading of misinformation about the incident should stop forthwith as this could have adverse effects on the conduct of ongoing operations”, it ended.
Recall that the former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, died on Tuesday, 18 Dec 2018, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.
