Air Chief Marshal Badeh killed by gunmen along Abuja-Keffi Road (See pictures)

Nigeria’s former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, has been shot dead by gunmen.

A statement to that effect by ‪Ibikunle Daramola,  Air Commodore, Director of Public Relations and Information, Nigerian Air Force, said that Badeh died Tuesday December 18, 2018, ” from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.‬”

Badeh, a retired four star flag officer of the Nigerian Air force, served as the 18th Chief of Air Staff and the 15th Chief of Defence Staff of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Born on January 10, 1957 (age 61 years), he was from Adamawa State of Nigeria, the home state of the major opposition presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and was being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Badeh was arraigned on a 14-count charge, for allegedly abusing his office by diverting N3.97 billion meant for arms purchase for the campaign against Boko Haram insurgency.

He entered a “not guilty” plea to all the counts and was expected to begin his defence on January 16, 2019.

He served as CDS in the government of immediate past President Goodluck Jonathan.

The statement in full reads:

“It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Sabundu Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 18, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road.‬

“On behalf officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, commiserates with the family of the late former Chief of Defence Staff over this irreparable loss. We pray that the Almighty God grants his soul eternal rest. Details later. “