Buhari, others mourn ex- COAS Gen. Victor Malu

Andrew Orolua, Abuja.

President Muhammadu Buhari and others on Monday mourned the former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the late Lt. General Victor Samuel Leonard Malu, who died in the early hours of Monday in Cairo, Egypt.

Buhari in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Femi Adesina, extended his condolences to Late Gen. Malu’s family as well as the government and people of Benue State on the death of the former Chief of Army Staff who also creditably served as Force Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peace-keeping force in Liberia between 1996 and 1998.

The President also commiserated with the Nigerian Armed Forces on the demise of a professional colleague who he said demonstrated incredible courage and leadership during very turbulent times in Liberia and in the country.

The statement read: “The President recalls that as Force Commander of the ECOMOG peace-keeping (troops) in Liberia from 1996 to 1998, Gen. Malu was an icon of professionalism, bravery and discipline, and he aptly demonstrated these attributes throughout his national and international military assignments.

“The President believes that the late Gen. Malu will be fondly remembered for his dedication and commitment as a military officer and his numerous landmark contributions to Nigeria ’s unity and development.”

The President urged the bereaved family, friends and associates to honour Malu’s memory by upholding his invaluable sacrifices for a peaceful and united Nigeria.
He prayed that Almighty God will comfort all who mourn Gen. Malu, and grant his soul perfect peace.

Also mourning the Late Gen. Malu (rtd), the ruling party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) said Nigeria has lost one of its finest military officers who distinguished himself and made the country proud in several local and international assignments he undertook during his illustrious military career.

The party in a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi, noted that late Gen. Malu was a recipient of the Force Service Star (FSS) Award, Meritorious Service Star (MSS) Award, Distinguished Service Star (DSS) Award, among others.

The APC also fondly recalled the distinguished service of the late Malu as Force Commander of the Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG) peace-keeping force in Liberia from 1996 to 1998.

The party said that his impressive performance earned him commendations from both Liberians and international observers over improvements that followed his taking command.

It noted that in the course of the “late Malu’s eventful tenure as the country’s Chief of Army Staff from 1999 to 2001, he doggedly canvassed and undertook reforms aimed at establishing a truly national army with a deep sense of purpose.”

The Party condoles with the immediate family, the Nigerian Army and the government and people of Benue state over the painful loss and prayed the Almighty God to grant the late Malu eternal rest and the family the strength to bear the loss.

The family source said yesterday that the late ex-army chief travelled to Cairo two weeks ago for medical check- up. He had was confirmed to a wheel chair for several years as a result of stroke and died at the age of 70 years old.

Born on January 15, 1947 , in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue state, Malu enrolled into the Nigerian Defense Academy, Kaduna in 1967 as part of the 3rd regular course and was commissioned second Lieutenant in 1970.

The late Malu chaired the military tribunal that tried former Chief of General Staff and Vice Chairman Armed Forces Ruling Council Gen. Oladipo Diya and others in 1998 over alleged coup plot against the then head of state, Gen. Sanni Abacha.

General Malu was Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff from 1999 to 2001 under former President Olusegun Obasanjo.