Mohammed Chris Alli, a former chief of army staff during the late Sani Abacha‘s regime, has died.
According to TheCable, Alli died on Sunday morning at a military hospital in Lagos after a brief illness. He was 78.
From November 1993 to August 1994, he was the Chief of Army Staff.
Between August 1985 and 1986, he was the military governor of Plateau state and the director of military intelligence (DMI).
Alli was born in Koton Karfe, Kogi state.
He was one of the army chiefs, along with Alison-Madueke, the chief of naval staff at the time, who supported the late MKO Abiola’s presidential election victory on June 12.
Former military President Ibrahim Babangida called the election off.
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo appointed him as Plateau’s interim administrator in May 2004, following the state’s declaration of a state of emergency due to an ethno-religious crisis.
In November 2004, he handed over power to the civilian government.
Taoreed Lagbaja, the chief of army staff, issued a statement on Sunday condoling with the late Alli’s family.
The army chief said the late former military officer showed “commitment and zeal” during service.
“He served diligently in various capacities, cutting across staff, instructional and command,” Onyema Nwachukwu, the army’s director of public relations, quoted Lagbaja as saying in the statement.
“The COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time.”