A former Chief of Army Staff, Major General Chris Alli (rtd), is dead.
Alli, born on December 25, 1944, retired from the Nigerian Army as Major General as he served as Chief of Army Staff from 1993 to 1994 under General Sani Abacha’s regime and was military governor of Plateau State Nigeria from August 1985 to 1986 during the military regime of General Ibrahim Babangida.
Many years later, he was appointed interim administrator of Plateau State during a 2004 crisis in the state following ethno-religious killings in Shendam, Yelwa Local Government.
On retirement from the military, he wrote a book entitled: ‘The Federal Republic of Nigerian Army: The Siege of a Nation’.
While writing about his book, Gen Alli noted, “This book is not an indictment of the military of which I was part. It is my perception of the conduct of my generation and the multifarious forces at work amongst and about them. It is not a verdict on society; rather it is an articulation of the ecstasy, the fears, the constrictions of a nation in turmoil, a nation pulling itself apart.”
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has commiserated with the family, friends and colleagues of the late former COAS.
Lagbaja, in a statement on Sunday, November 19, 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.
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