The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) says the driver of Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), is alive and receiving treatment at an air force hospital.
Badeh was shot dead by unidentified gunmen on Tuesday night on his way back from his farm along Abuja-Kebbi road.
Pictures of the scene of the attack emerged online and attracted mixed reactions from Nigerians on the social media.
It was earlier reported that his driver was shot dead alongside him, but Nigerian Air Force has described such information as false.
According to a statement by Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola, NAF’s Director of Public Relations and Information, the driver is alive and recuperating well at an one of the Air Force’s hospitals.
The statement also disputed claims that Badeh wasn’t provided security, noting that the former CDS “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”.
The statement read: “The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has 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.”
Wife and Two Sons on DSS Watchlist
The family members of the immediate past Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd.), may miss his burial as they remain on the watch list of the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Immigration Service in relation to the ongoing corruption investigation on their father
Badeh’s widow, Mary Iya Badeh, and his two sons, Alex (jnr) and Kam have been in the United States since 2016 following his prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.
