Colleagues pay last respect to the late Air Force pilot before his remains was interred (Photo: FEMI IPAYE)

The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, on Wednesday described late Group Capt. Adanu Ochai as a gallant officer, who died in active service for the nation.

Abubakar said this during the burial of the officer at the National Military Cemetery, Abuja.

According to him, the officer died as a result of air crash in Kaduna State on Aug. 24.

The CAS said what happened to Ochai would happen to “all mortals one day; every mortal must taste death one day in his or her life”.

He described the deceased as a very hard working, committed and dedicated officer during his active service to the nation and his humility was unparalleled.

“He was an excellent senior officer who went extra mile to add value to the society.

“He was also highly dedicated, only recently, he graduated 16 students’ pilots as cadets. This is something that was last done about 32 years ago,” he said.

This, the CAS said, Ochai achieved in just four months, and that the singular feat was a clear indication that he was a very hard working and dedicated officer.

Abubakar, on behalf of the service, extended his condolence  to the immediate family of the deceased.

“On behalf of NAF family, we share in your pains and sorrow, trusting and believing God that will definitely support the family of the Ochai and the service in this trying time,” he said.

The CAS also assured the family that NAF would always be there for them, and give them the necessary support all through.