SaharaReporters reports that pro-democracy and human rights group, Concerned Nigerians for the Protection of Human Rights and Rule of Law initiative has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to employ the services of independent air accident experts to investigate the cause of the Nigerian Air Force jet that killed the Chief of Army Staff, General Ibrahim Attahiru and others.

The group in a statement made available to journalists said the cause of the plane crash that claimed the lives of the Chief of Army Staff and other military chiefs must be thoroughly investigated by independent air accident experts.

The statement reads in part: “Our heartfelt condolences are with the families of the Chief of Army Staff, the Airforce crew and other generals who lost their lives in the ill-fated crash that occurred in Kaduna International Airport.

“We call on the president to launch an inquest into the cause of the crash that claimed the lives of some of our finest officers by employing the services of an independent air accident expert. It can not be a coincidence that three Nigerian Airforce jets have crashed in a space of 3 months. Something is fundamentally wrong somewhere and the onus is on the president to uncover this mysterious crashes.”

The group, through its convener, Deji Adeyanju, also stated that it appears the various security agencies have been compromised.

“We are worried that the security agencies may have been compromised. We have always condemned the idea of granting former Boko Haram fighters amnesty and the dire consequences of enlisting them into the army and other security forces.

“The cabinet of the president and our security agencies are filled with terrorist sympathisers. Unless the president rids his administration of these unscrupulous elements that have infiltrated his cabinet, the war against insurgency will continue to be a mirage.

“Moreover, we are calling on the president and the vice president to suspend every travelling activity by air pending the outcome of a comprehensive report on the numerous Airforce plane crashes by the independent air accident experts earlier recommended.”

The group prayed for the victims of the crash, including the galant officers who lost their lives fighting for Nigeria.