ANALYSIS: With Attahiru’s death, who becomes next Chief of Army Staff? The death of COAS Ibrahim Attahiru has thrown up the issue of who heads the Nigerian Army. 3 min read Mr Attahiru and 10 other military officers died in a military plane crash that occurred in Kaduna. They were on their way to Zaria for the passing out parade of regular recruits slated for the next day. The officers, including three brigadier generals, have since been buried at the National Military Cemetery in Abuja. Mr Attahiru was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari as the 21st COAS on January 26 alongside other service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Lucky Irabor; Chief of Naval Staff, Gambo Awwal, and Chief of Air Staff, Isiaka Amao.