Buhari needed 48 hours clearance to attend burial of COAS, others - Presidency

Following reports that the president was absent at the funeral of the Chief of Army Staff and ten other military officers on Saturday, May 22, 2021, the presidency has stated reasons for the president's absence.

The absence of the president caused controversy as many wondered why the president who was stationed in Abuja couldn't make it to the funeral.

According to Senior Special Assistant to the President on Social Media, Lauretta Onochie said on her Twitter handle that the president needed 48 hours notice before attending any event.

This move gives the intelligence operatives to do surveillance and clearance before the President can be present.

Late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru and ten other officers died in a military plane crash on Friday, May 21, 2021, in Kaduna and was buried on Saturday in Abuja.

She tweeted: “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.”