Malik Yahya/
Major General Domkat (rtd) Bali is dead.
The former Chairman, Joint Chiefs of Staff and member of the Armed Forces Ruling Council under the military junta of General Badamosi Babangida, died today.
He celebrated his 80th on February 27, this year.
Nigerians will remember Bali as the officer who announced the execution of Major General Mamman Vatsa on March 5, 1986, after a military tribunal convicted him for treason associated with an abortive coup.
He said in an interview published by The News that Vatsa was unjustly killed by Babangida who was his childhood friend and secondary school mate. He added: “My regret is that up till now, I am not sure whether Vatsa ought to have been killed because whatever evidence they amassed against him was weak. My only regret is that I cannot say, don’t do it’. I am not so sure whether we were right to have killed him.”
Meanwhile, President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the people and government of Plateau State over what he described as “the passing of an illustrious son and highly decorated retired military officer, Gen. Domkat Bali, who served the country as Minister of Defence”.
The Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu stated: “The President, who spoke with the wife of the deceased, Esther on Friday, also commiserated with other family members, friends and professional associates of the former member of the Supreme Military Council and Armed Forces Ruling Council, after rising through the ranks, with a distinguished military career, reaching the peak as Chief of Defence Staff.
“President 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 has also constituted a delegation led by the Minister of Defence, Maj-Gen. Bashir Salihi Magashi (rtd) to visit the family, and condole with government and people of the state over the loss.
“President Buhari prays that the almighty God will receive the soul of the departed and comfort his family.”
0