Ponzhi Tarok, General Domkat Bali is dead, Buhari mourns

 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 Newsmen 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.