Why Buhari Didn't Attend Burial Of Army Chief, Others– Presidential Aide TuranyoMay

The Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie, has adduced reason for the refusal of the president to attend the Saturday's burial of late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, and other military officers who died in a plane crash in Kaduna on Friday.

Platinum Post reports that there have been mounting criticisms and condemnations of the President's decision to shun the burial, which took place at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja.

But in a post on her verified Twitter handle on Sunday, Onochie said for a President to at any funeral or event outside the Villa, the event must have at least 48 hours interval.

The Presidential aide, however, said she was not aware of such rule before it was shared by one Muhammed Yusuf.

" For a President to be at any funeral or event outside the Presidential Villa, the event must have at least 48 hours for intelligence operatives to do surveillance and clearance before the President can go based on the Security report.

" In a case where the COAS and his team died yesterday and had to be buried today, you don't expect the President to go there where there is no security clearance.

" The minimum time of 48 hours wasn't met. In insecurity parlance, funeral ceremonies are where politically exposed persons face more risks.

" Security issues and securing the President are not done by emotions or sentiments. There're laid down procedures that must be followed. Be enlightened. "