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Ibrahim Attahiru: The Tragic End of a Promising Officer (1966 – 2021)

Published

5 years ago

May 22, 2021

Eric

By Eric Elezuo

Much as death and the date of its coming are unknown phenomena, yet the whole country was shaken to its foundations when the news broke that the recently appointed Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Ibrahim Attahiru has been killed in a fatal plane crash.

The gallant soldier, which died with 10 other officers, was said to be on his way to attend the passing out parade of young army officers billed for Saturday.

According to reports, the ill-fated Airforce plane, was originally billed to land at the Army ground, but a new arrangement redirected its movement to the Kaduna International Airport. It was while attempting to land at the airport that it crashed, killing all passengers on board.

Born Ibrahim Attahiru on August 10, 1966 in Doka, Kaduna State, the officer, who recently landed the plum job of the Chief of Army Staff on January 26, 2021 when he was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari, replacing General Tukur Buratai, was a Lieutenant General serving as the 21st Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army.

Attahiru joined the Army in 1984 as a member of the Regular Course 35 of the Nigerian Defence Academy, and grew through the ranks out of a dint of hard work to reach the zenith of his military career as the Chief of Army Staff. He was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji and Nigerian Army School of Infantry.

He commenced cadets training in January 1984 and was commissioned into the rank of Second Lieutenant in December 1986 as an Infantry Officer. It was at the Nigerian Defence Academy that he bagged a Masters degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies.

He was a holder of Masters of Science in Human Resources Management and Development from Salford University in the United Kingdom and Graduate Diploma in International Studies from the University of Nairobi, Kenya.

Among many of his frontline combats, Attahiru held various positions in the military because becoming the COAS. He was General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu prior to his appointment as Chief of Army Staff. He had his ups and downs in the line of duty, and had his bad days as well. He reportedly failed in one of his missions and was removed from his post. In 2017, he was ordered by the then Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Tukur Yusuf Buratai to destroy Boko Haram and capture Abubakar Shekau, its leader dead or alive. Coincidentally, Shekau died barely 24 hours before he died.

As a gallant officer, Attahiru could boast of several honors and awards. He will be remembered for the UNAMSIL Medal, ECOMOG Medal, Forces Service Star, Meritorious Service Star, Distinguish Service Star, Grand Service Star, Corp Medal of Honour, Command medal, Field Command Medal, and Field Command Medal of Honour.

During his brief three and half months as Army Chief, Attahiru managed to stamp his foot, sending clear warning messages to perpetrators of insurgency. He had taken a tour of almost all the Army formations across the country to ascertain the challenges on ground, and he would confront and surmount them. He was really a promising officer with huge security tactics up his sleeves.

On Friday, May 21, 20021, at the age of 54, just about two months to his 55th birthday, General Attahiru took his final salute and bowed to death when his aircraft lost control while attempting to land at the Kaduna International Airport, and crashed, killing all eleven officers on board.

He is married to Fati Attahiru, and they are blessed by wonderful children.

May his soul rest in perfect peace!

Headline

Insecurity: Akpabio Begs Tinubu to Reinstate Police Orderlies for NASS Members

Published

2 hours ago

December 20, 2025

Eric

Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to reconsider the directive withdrawing police orderlies from members of the National Assembly, citing safety concerns.

Akpabio made the appeal during the presentation of the 2026 budget to a joint session of the National Assembly, by President Tinubu, warning that some lawmakers fear they might be unable to return home safely following the withdrawal.

His said: “As we direct the security agencies to withdraw policemen from critical areas, some of the National Assembly said I should let you know they may not be able to go home today.

“On that note, we plead with Mr. President for a review of the decision.”

President Tinubu, on November 23, ordered the withdrawal of police officers attached to Very Important Persons (VIPs), directing that they be redeployed to core policing duties across the country.

According to Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Tinubu issued the directive after a security meeting with Service Chiefs and the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS) following heightened security issues in the country.

Under the order, VIPs requiring security are to seek protection from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, as the Federal government seeks to boost police presence in communities, particularly in remote areas grappling with insecurity.

Tinubu later reaffirmed the directive on December 10, moments before presiding over the Federal Executive Council, expressing frustration over delays in implementation.

He instructed the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, to work with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, and the Civil Defence Corps to immediately replace withdrawn escorts to avoid exposing individuals to danger.

“I honestly believe in what I said…It should be effected. If you have any problem because of the nature of your assignment, contact the IGP and get my clearance,” Tinubu said.

“The minister of interior should liaise IG and the Civil Defence structure to replace those police officers who are on special security duties.

“So that you don’t leave people exposed,” he said.

Headline

Defence Gulps Lion Share As Tinubu Presents N58.47trn 2026 Budget to NASS

Published

16 hours ago

December 19, 2025

Eric

President Bola Tinubu has presented a budget of N58.47 trillion for the 2026 fiscal year to a joint session of the National Assembly, with capital recurrent (non‑debt) expenditure standing at N15.25 trillion.

Tinubu presented the budget on Friday, pegging the capital expenditure at N26.08 trillion and putting the crude oil benchmark at US$64.85 per barrel.

He said the expected total revenue is N34.33 trillion, projected total expenditure: N58.18 trillion, including N15.52 trillion for debt servicing. The budget is N23.85 trillion, representing 4.28% of GDP.

The budget was anchored on a crude oil production of 1.84 million barrels per day, and an exchange rate of N1,400 to the US Dollar for the 2026 fiscal year.

In terms of sectoral allocation, defence and security took the lion’s share with N 5.41 trillion, followed by infrastructure at N3.56 trillion.

Headline

Mike Adenuga, Emmanuel Macron Hold High-Powered Meeting in Paris

Published

2 days ago

December 18, 2025

Eric

Accomplished billionaire businessman and Commander of the French Légion d’Honneur, Dr. Mike Adenuga Jr., GCON, CdrLH, has held a private meeting with the French President, Emmanuel Macron.

The two powerful citizens of the world held the meeting on Wednesday at the historic Élysée Palace in Paris.

The high-level engagement underscores the longstanding relationship between Dr. Adenuga and the French Republic, as well as his continued relevance in global business and diplomatic circles.

A respected industrialist and philanthropist, Adenuga has been widely acknowledged for his contributions to economic development, telecommunications, energy, and humanitarian causes across Africa and beyond.

The meeting adds to Dr. Adenuga’s growing profile as a bridge between African enterprise and international leadership.