TheCable

President Muhammadu Buhari has mourned the death of Joshua Dogonyaro, a former commander of Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group (ECOMOG).

TheCable had reported that Dogonyaro, aged 80, died on Thursday at the Jos University Teaching Hospital, Plateau state.

He was said to have battled an undisclosed illness for some time.

In a statement, Buhari noted that the former chief of defence staff was patriotic in ensuring the unity of the country, adding that his death is a great loss to Nigeria.

The president commiserated with the government and people of Plateau for the death of the “legendary general”.

“A great loss not only to the Nigerian military but also to the country because of his patriotic sacrifices in defence of its unity and territorial integrity,” Buhari said in a statement by Garba Shehu, presidential aide.

“The death of Dogonyaro comes as a great shock to me because as a soldier, I know what it means to lose such an officer and a gentleman who gave his best in the service of the country.

“Laying down one’s life for the country is one of the greatest sacrifices any citizen can make to his country. General Dogonyaro’s incalculable contributions will be remembered for years to come.”

Dogonyaro read the coup speech that ousted Buhari, then military head of state, and brought in Ibrahim Babangida on August 27, 1985.