Ex-chief of Defence Staff, General Dogonyaro is dead

Lieutenant General Joshua Dogonyaro, a former Chief of Defence Staff during the regime of the late General Sani Abacha, is dead.

Dogonyaro died on Thursday morning at The Jos University Teaching Hospital.

The 80-year-old was reportedly admitted in the hospital following a brief illness.

His Body has been deposited at Air Force Hospital in Jos, Plateau State.

Joseph, first son of the deceased disclosed this to the media on Thursday.

“Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for medical attention.

“Unfortunately, early this morning (Thursday), around 3.00am precisely, he breathed his last.

“His death comes as a rude shock to us as a family. We are going to miss his love and warm as a grandfather, father, brother, uncle and supporter,” he said.

Joseph said that the family was trying to cope with the shock of the general’s demise and would discuss the funeral arrangements soon.

He described his father as “a General who was so faithful and loyal to the nation, Nigeria.”

“He was a General who had no bias mind as a detribalised Nigerian. He served this nation faithfully and identified with all Nigerians and Africa as a continent.

“We and Nigerians are going to miss him having served humanity in this country and Africa as a whole, ” Joseph added

Dogonyaro was enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964 and was commissioned Second-Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps, 1967.

Meanwhile the Plateau State Governor and Chairman Northern Governors Forum Barr. Simon Bako Lalong has expressed deep shock over the death of former Chief of Defence Staff, Lt. Gen. (Retd.) Joshua Nimyel Dogonyaro who died at the age of 80.

Lalong in a Press Statement signed and issued on Thursday in Jos by his Director of Press and Public Affairs Dr. Makut Simon Machan while reacting to the death of Gen. Dogonyaro said Plateau State and the nation has lost a patriotic and loyal Nigerian who served with courage, dignity and selflessness.

He recalled the achievements of late Gen. Dogonyaro during his career in the Army where he held several command positions and accomplished his assignments with tremendous success.

“Plateau State has lost an elder statesman whose outstanding achievements in his military career brought a lot of pride and honour for the State. The commitment of the deceased towards the defence of Nigeria’s territorial integrity and well as ensuring its peace and unity stood him out as a soldier of repute whose professionalism continues to inspire many younger ones”.

Lalong also said his outstanding leadership in the course of Nigeria’s contributions to international peace keeping efforts, particularly when he served as ECOMOG Field Commander in Liberia remains a reference point to the gallantry of the Nigerian Armed Forces.

Governor Lalong said Gen. Dogonyaro never hesitated to offer Plateau State and the nation his wealth of experience and knowledge particularly towards tackling security challenges of insurgency, banditry, kidnapping and other crimes.

He expressed his condolences to the family and people of Plateau State over this sad loss.