The Spokesperson of the National Chief Imam, Sheikh Armiyawo Shaibu, has recounted how the Chief Imam, Sheikh Osman Nuhu Sharubutu, reacted to the tragic demise of Alhaji Muniru Lumina.

Alhaji Muniru Lumina, who was the Acting Deputy National Security Coordinator in charge of Human Security, perished in a fatal helicopter crash that claimed the lives of seven others at Adansi Sikaman.

According to Shaibu, the Chief Imam was devastated and immediately burst into prayer, with his entire mood shifting upon hearing the news.

He explained that the late Alhaji Muniru developed a close relation with the Chief Imam due to his role played as a former board chairman of Hajj Board.

“We informed the Chief Imam and he was devastated especially because he directly knows Alhaji Muniru Limuna because of the role he played in the past as Hajj Board Chairman and organizing the Hajj.

“That brought him close to the National Chief Imam, and so we were able to remind the Chief Imam about Alhaji Muniru and tell him ‘your son Alhaji Muniru who was coming to you on this Hajj’, and his whole mood changed,” he said while speaking to JoyNews on Friday, August 8, 2025.

Sheikh Shaibu added that the Chief Imam, in his prayer, acknowledged the Islamic expression of seeking solace in Allah during times of tragedy, and offered prayers for the departed soul.

“He burst out in prayer just immediately in the expression of what we know in Islam that whenever you lose or any calamity befalls you, you resign unto the power of God and you say, Inna lillahi wa inallah-e-raji’oon, unto Allah we belong and unto Him is our final and ultimate return. That's what the Chief Imam said,” he added.

The fatal crash occurred on Wednesday, August 6, 2025, in the Ashanti Region as the officials were on their way to an event at Obuasi.

The names of the perished are: Dr Edward Omane Boamah, Minister of Defence; Dr Ibrahim Murtala Mohammed, Minister of Environment, Science and Technology; Limuna Muniru, Ag Dep National Security Coordinator; Samuel Sarpong, Vice Chairman of the NDC; Samuel Aboagye, NADMO Deputy Director-General.

Also confirmed are the deaths of 3 Airforce officers, namely Squadron Leader Peter Anala (the pilot); Flying Officer Twum Ampadu; and Sergeant Ernest Addo Mensah.

MAG/AE

Watch as Ghana Armed Forces prepares to receive remains of 8 killed in helicopter crash;