BUHARI, GOV. ORTOM MOURNS GEN. DOMKAT BALI

Retired four-star General of the Nigerian Army, Domkat Yah Bali, is dead.

Bali, who was until his death the Ponzhi Tarok, served as the Minister of Defence and member of the Supreme Military Council of 1984–1985.

He was also a member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council of 1985–1990. Bali joined the Nigerian Army in 1961 and is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurs.

Reacting to his passing, President Muhammadu Buhari, in a statement signed by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, condoled with the people and government of Plateau State.

The statement made available to RPTVBLOGS on Friday, said Buhari had also spoken with the wife of the deceased, Esther.

He said Bali had a distinguished military career having risen through the ranks and reaching the peak as Chief of Defence Staff.

The statement said that Buhari “believes the records of bravery and patriotism of Gen. Bali, the Ponzhi Tarok, will continue to inspire young military officers, while the foundation he laid in all the commands he headed will always be remembered.”

The President, according to Garba, has also constituted a delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) to visit the family.

In a related development
Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom has described the death of former Minister of Defence, Domkat Bali, as a huge loss to the country.

The governor said the late Bali was a patriot who served the country diligently in several capacities and was a highly decorated military officer.

Ortom in a statement by Chief Press Secretary, Terver Akase, stated that the deceased will be deeply missed by the people of Langtang where he presided as the paramount ruler, the government and people of Plateau State as well as other Nigerians.

Governor Ortom prayed for the repose of the soul of General Domkat Bali and for his family to bear the irreparable loss.