Three days of mourning have been declared in Nigeria for 10 of the most senior army commanders who died when their military plane crashed. Those killed near the south-eastern town of Obudu include eight major generals and two brigadier generals, the authorities said.
President Olusegun Obasanjo called the crash a "monumental tragedy" and is flying home early from Singapore.
Two other officers also died, while at least four survived, the military says.
There were 18 people on board the Dornier 228 aircraft when it crashed into a hill 18 nautical miles from Obudu after flying from the capital, Abuja.
'Big loss'
The private meeting had been ordered by the new chief of army staff to discuss the challenges facing the military.
The BBC's Alex Last in Nigeria says it is thought the restructuring of the task force in the volatile, oil-rich Niger Delta would be one of the key issues for discussion; the other being the army's role in maintaining stability in the run-up to next year's elections.
A spokesman at the Nigerian defence headquarters, Brigadier General Felix Chukwuma, told the BBC the crash would affect the whole defence establishment:
"They are the top echelon in the army headquarters... It is a big loss, irreparable, but the army shall still wade on."
Captain Emeka Ozomena told the BBC it was too early to speculate on the causes of the crash. President Obasanjo has ordered an investigation.
More than 200 people died in two air disasters last year, leading many to question the safety of Nigerian planes.
After the disasters, several airlines were grounded while safety checks were carried out.
posted
Wetin Concern us with that one? Do you see any Igbo names on the list of the so called "Top echelon" that were "ordered by the new chief of army staff to discuss the challenges facing the military "?
I do feel for the families left behind.
___________________ Feel me? Ofu onye ana asi unu abia go. - Ednut Igbo-American . www.airamericaradio.com visit her. Posts: 2447 | From: Mother Earth | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
I don't give a damn, never particularly cared for the Nigerian soldiers, it's a pity they died but who cares? The country should focus their effort on the infant mortality rate in that country, children are dying for lack of food and milk.
Hail Biafra
Posts: 1672 | From: Minnesota USA | Registered: Mar 2001
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posted
Those crooks were having a meeting in the Southeast, but it did not strike them as odd that no one from the Southeast of equal rank as them was at the meeting. This is a Yoroba / Awusa-Fulani disaster, and there is nothing there for me to mourn.
Posts: 365 | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote:Hero's burial for crash victims in Abuja tomorrow...
Come o! What is heroic about the death of a bunch of terrorists while scheming to wreak more harm on innocent UHURU people? Their death as far as common sense dictates is good omen and that's my final answer!
___________________ BIAFRA: The land of my ancestors now, yesterday and always. So it will be! Posts: 2482 | From: Ala Igbo | Registered: Apr 2004
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posted
True but the cry for prayer is needed now because in ignorance many sins are committed especially concerning wayward and misguided brainwashed people. So just in case there is a ray of hope for someone who can escape hell let this prayer be for them we are our brothers keepers.
Eternal rest granted to them oh Lord and may the perpetual light shine upon them and may they rest in peace and may all the souls of the faithful departed rest in peace Amen And woe unto those who die and go to hell.
May I oneday go into the City of God myself and escape eternal damnation
Posts: 107 | From: North Dakota USA | Registered: Apr 2004
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