NAF Releases Statement On Nigeria’s Ex-Defence Chief, Alex Badeh’s Death

A former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh (rtd), has been killed by unknown gunmen.

Badeh was killed on his way back from his farm along the Abuja – Keffi road.

The incident was confirmed by the Nigerian Air Force (NAF), in a statement by its spokesman, Air Commodore Ibikunle Daramola.

‪Confirming the unfortunate development, Daramola said: “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.

Ibikunle Daramola, spokesman of the Nigerian air force, announced this via his Twitter handle on Tuesday.

He said Badeh died from gunshot wounds sustained in an attack while returning from his farm.

He said the sad incident happened along Abuja-Keffi road.

Daramola wrote: “It is with a heavy heart that I regretfully announce the unfortunate demise of former Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh, who died today, 18 Dec 2018, from gunshot wounds sustained when his vehicle was attacked while returning from his farm along Abuja-Keffi Road

“On behalf of officers, airmen and airwomen of the Nigerian Air Force, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal 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.”

The late officer, who was 61, was commissioned into the Nigerian Air Force in 1979.

He was under prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission for allegedly diverting billions of naira meant for weapons, an allegation he denied until his death.

Badeh was born in Vimtim, Mubi Local Government Area of Adamawa State.

He attended Vimtim Primary School. Vimtim and went on to obtain his school certificate from Villanova Secondary School in 1976 before proceeding to the Nigerian Defence Academy

Badeh was admitted into the Nigerian Defence Academy as a member of the 21 Regular Course on 3 January 1977, and was commissioned Pilot Officer on 3 July 1979.

He commenced his flying career at the 301 Flying Training School on the Bulldog Primary Trainer aircraft in 1979. Between 1981 and 1982 he attended the Undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force Base in the United States Air Force. He was at the 301 Flying Training School as a squadron pilot and later became an instructor pilot on the Bull Dog and DO-228 aircraft.

Air Marshal Badeh was promoted Air Vice Marshal on 3 January 2008. Between 2008 and 2009, he was a Directing Staff at the National Defence College, Abuja, Nigeria and subsequently became the Director, National Military Strategy at the same college.

He was appointed Chief of Air Staff by President Goodluck Jonathan in October 2012 and was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in April 2014.

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