Breaking: Nigeria’s former Chief of Army Staff is dead

A former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Mohammed Chris Alli, is dead.

According to a statement released by the Army, the former General died after a brief illness on Sunday, November 19, 2023.

Alli, who also served as the Military Governor of Plateau State between August 1985 and 1986, was the COAS between November 1993 and August 1994.

Reacting to his death, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, conveyed his condolences on behalf of the Nigerian Army.

The condolence was contained in a statement released on Nigeria Army’s verified X account, @HQNigerianArmy, and signed by Major General Onyema Nwachukwu, Director of Army Public Relations.

The statement reads in part: “Born on December 25, 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State, Gen Chris Alli commenced his journey in the Nigerian Army on October 20, 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course.

“Throughout his career, he served diligently in diverse roles, including staff, instructional, and command. At one point, he held the position of Military Administrator of Plateau State. 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 (DMI), amongst 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.

“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.”