President Buhari mourns former COAS, Victor Malu

-Lt.Gen Victor Malu, passes on at the age of 70.

-He was a former chief of army staff and former commander of the peace keeping force in Sierra Leone and Liberia.

The death of a former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Victor Malu, has been reported by family sources in Makurdi, Benue State.

Malu, aged 70 years, reportedly died early on Monday in Cairo, where he had travelled to two weeks ago for medical treatment.

Malu was a commander, ECOMOG Peace Keeping Force in Sierra Leone and Liberia from August 1996 to January 1998.

He was born on January 15, 1947 in Katsina Ala Local Government of Benue State.

The military tribunal that tried former Chief of General Staff and Vice-Chairman, Armed Forces Ruling Council, Gen. Oladipo Diya and others in 1998 over an alleged coup plot against the then Head of State, Gen. Sani Abacha, was headed by Victor Malu.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement released on Monday by his special adviser on media and publicity, extended his condolences to the Malu family as well as the government and people of Benue State.

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He described him as a soldier who demonstrated incredible courage and leadership, including very turbulent times in Liberia.

The statement read, “The President recalls that as Force Commander of the ECOMOG peace-keeping troops in Liberia from 1996 to 1998, Gen. Malu was an icon of professionalism, bravery and discipline and he aptly demonstrated these attributes throughout his national and international military assignments.

“The President believes the late Gen. Malu will be fondly remembered for his dedication and commitment as a military officer and his numerous landmark contributions to Nigeria’s unity and development.