The former Chief of Defence Staff to late General Sani Abacha, Lieutenant General Joshua Dogonyaro, is dead.
Dogonyaro died at the age of 80
Joseph, first son of the deceased, disclosed this to the News Agency of Nigeria in a telephone interview in Pankshin, Plateau State on Thursday.
Joseph said: “Daddy has been sick for some time until yesterday when he had a stroke and we rushed him to the Jos University Teaching Hospital for medical attention.
“Unfortunately, early this morning (Thursday), around 3am 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.”
Joseph said 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 biased 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.”
According to Joseph, the corpse of the General has since been deposited at the JUTH mortuary.
Late Dogonyaro, a soldier and an administrator, was born on September 12, 1940 in Vom, Plateau State, though a native of Taroh in Langtang North Local Government Area.
Dogonyaro had his early education at Boys’ Secondary School, Gindiri and thereafter was enlisted in the Nigerian Army in 1964.
He was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps in 1967; Officer Commanding, 1 Recce Squadron, NA, 1967-69; Quartermaster General, I Infantry Division (Main), N, 1969-70.
The late General was Chief Instructor and Adjutant, Rece Training School, NA, 1970 to 1972; and Commanding Officer, I Recce Regiment, NA, 1972 to 1976.
He was appointed Principal Staff Officer, Headquarters, Nigerian Army Armoured Corp, 1976 to 1977; Commanding Officer, 24 Armoured Brigade, NA, 1977-79.
Between 1984 and 1985, he was made the Task Force Commanding Officer, 203 Armoured Battalion on the Peace-keeping Force in Chad; Director of Manning (Army), Army Headquarters, ‘A’ Branch, NA; and Director of Armoury, 1985.
He was also the General Officer Commanding 3 Armoured Division, NA, Jos, 1985 to 1987; member, Armed Forces Ruling Council (AFRC), 1985; General Officer Commanding, 2nd Mechanised Division, NA, Ibadan, 1987; promoted Major-General, 1988; promoted Lieutenant General; former ECOMOG Commander; and retired in 1993.
Dogonyaro attended also the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru, Jos and became Member of the National Institute in addition to the Passed Staff College and got the Forces Service Star.