Alex Badeh: Things to know about late Chief of Defence Staff

Former Chief of Defence Staff, CDS, Alex Sabundu Badeh, was on Tuesday
shot dead by unknown gunmen along Abuja-Keffi road.

The death of Badeh, who rose to the rank of Air Chief Marshal in the
Nigerian military, was disclosed in a statement signed by the Director
of Nigerian Air Force Public Relations and Information, Air Vommogore
Ibikunle Daramola.

Here are things to know about the late Chief of Defence Staff.

Alex Sabundu Badeh was born 10 January, 1957 in Vimtim, Mubi LGA of
Adamawa state.

He had his early education at Vimtim Primary School and Villanova
Secondary School where he obtained his secondary school certificate.

In 1976, Badeh gained admission into the Nigerian Defence Academy in
1977 as a member of the 21 Regular Course.

The late CDS was commissioned Pilot Officer on 3 July 1979 and
commenced his flying career at the 301 Flying Training School on the
Bulldog Primary Trainer aircraft in 1979.

He also attended the undergraduate Pilot Training at Vance Air Force
Base in the United States, US, Air Force between 1981 and 1982.

Badeh was at the 301 Flying Training School, FTS, as a squadron pilot
and later became an instructor pilot on the Bull Dog and DO-228
aircraft.

The deceased, who rose through the ranks and became Air Vice Marshal
in 2008, later became the 18th Chief of Air Staff in October 2012 and
was appointed Chief of Defence Staff in January 2014.

The position he held until July 13, 2015, when he was retired by the
President Muhammadu Buhari administration. Since his retirement, Badeh
had faced a court trial for alleged theft of defence funds during his
tenure.

Alex Badeh, Nigeria's former Chief of Defence staff, was assassinated
barely a month to his 62nd birthday anniversary.

Between 2002 and 2004, while serving as Commander of Presidential Air
Fleet, PAF, under the then administration of President Olusegun
Obasanjo, Badeh flew two former US Presidents, Bill Clinton and Jimmy
Carter on different occasions after an extensive check was done on him
by the US secret service.

During the period, Badeh as commander of the Air Fleet also flew world
leaders, VIPs and top Heads of State across the world including former
UN secretary general, Kofi Annan.