The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru has died in an air crash with some of his aides.
Military sources said Gen. Attahiru was on a trip to Kaduna.
Efforts were on to locate the wreckage of the plane and evacuate the remains of the victims.
His mission to Kaduna was said to be “official.”
The Nigerian Air Force, in a statement by its Director of Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Edward Gabkwet confirmed the crash.
The statement said: “An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport.
“The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon.”