Army chief mourns ex-COAS, Chris Ali

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commiserated with the family, friends and colleagues of the late former COAS, Maj. Gen. Chris Ali (retd.).

Ali, who was the COAS between November 1993 and August 1994 died in a military hospital in Lagos on Sunday after a brief illness.

Lagbaja, in a statement on Sunday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said Ali served the Army and the country with honour.

The statement read, “The COAS has expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the NA on the passing of former COAS, Maj. Gen. Mohammed Chris Alli (retd.).

“Major General Alli (retd.), a revered senior officer, served the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time.

“His commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently, as he rose through the ranks to become the Director Military Intelligence among several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his military career as the 9th COAS in November 1993, until his meritorious retirement from active service in August 1994.

“Born on December 25 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. Gen Chris Alli’s sojourn in the NA began on 20 October 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course. He served diligently in various capacities, cutting across Staff, Instructional and Command. Gen Alli was at a time, the Military Administrator of Plateau State.”

Lagbaja prayed for the repose of his soul.

“The COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends, and colleagues of the Late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time,” the statement added.