Major General Chris Alli

Major General Chris Alli, a former Chief of Army Staff, has been confirmed dead.

Ali’s death was announced in a statement released via X (formerly Twitter) by the Nigerian Army’s spokesperson, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu.

Ali, who served as the COAS between November 1993 and August 1994, died in a military hospital in Lagos in the early hours of Sunday, November 19, after a brief illness.

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, via the statement released, expressed heartfelt condolences on behalf of the Nigerian Army (NA) on the passing of Alli.

The statement reads, “Major General Chris Alli (rtd), a revered senior officer, served the Nigerian Army, the Armed Forces of Nigeria and the nation with honour and dedication in various capacities, leaving enduring prints on the sands of time.

“His commitment and zeal to duty manifested evidently, as he rose through the ranks to become the Director Military Intelligence (DMI), amongst several other key appointments in the Nigerian Army, climaxing his military career as the 9th COAS in November 1993, until his meritorious retirement from active service in August 1994.

“Born on 25 December 1944, in Koton Karfe, Kogi State. Gen Chris Alli’s sojourn in the NA began on October 20 1967, as a member of the Emergency Short Service Combatant Course. He served diligently in various capacities, cutting across Staff, Instructional and Command. Gen Alli was, at a time, the Military Administrator of Plateau State.

“The COAS Lieutenant General Taoreed Lagbaja, on receiving the disheartening news of his demise, has profoundly expressed his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the Late former COAS, praying for the repose of his soul and the strength and solace for the family in this difficult time.”