As Attahiru dies with his fine promises…

Nigerians were thrown into mourning last Friday following the death of Ibrahim Attahiru, chief of army staff, in a military aircraft of the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) while on an official trip to Kaduna.

The incident was reported to have occurred around the Kaduna International Airport. Edward Gabkwet, NAF spokesman, confirmed the incident on Friday evening.

Eight persons were involved in the accident; sources said he had visited the Emir of Zazzau, Ahmad Bamalli on Friday.

“An air crash involving a @NigAirForce aircraft occurred this evening near the Kaduna International Airport. The immediate cause of the crash is still being ascertained. More details to follow soon,” Edward Gabkwet, said in a statement.

Attahiru was recently appointed army chief by President Muhammadu Buhari. Until his appointment in January, he was the General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu.

With service number 8406, he was a member of Regular Course 35 of the Nigerian Defence Academy. At a time, he was the Theatre Commander of the Operation Lafiya Dole, until he was sacked in 2017 for alleged incompetence.

As soon as he mounted the saddle, the late COAS visited Nigerian troops on the frontline in Borno State about twice in one week.

He visited troops at Special Army Super Camp in Ngamdu, commending them for their loyalty and doggedness in the ongoing fight against Insurgency in the North-east.

He also promised to end the insurgency war soon by wiping out Boko Haram from Nigeria.

He had also assured the troops of his support and robust welfare packages to boost their morale as they continue the war against insurgency.

Attahiru also extended greetings from the President and Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Nigeria, President Muhammadu Buhari to troops, promising to address the problems of overstaying by some soldiers in the Theatre.

“I have met Commanders, I have received briefs and they told me what their critical requirements are with emphasis to the Military effectiveness.

“This we are working in tandem with the troops of the Multinational Joint Taskforce towards the defeat of terrorists.

“On issues equipment and other logistics items, I have been briefed on it and we are making tremendous effort on it.

“As your Chief of Army Staff, I have reliably been told on the challenge of kitting. In the next couple of weeks, you will have your uniforms and protective gears,” he said.

“Furthermore, I know the issue of over stay in mission area has been a major problem. Be rest assured that in the next couple of weeks and months we shall have a standard rotation plans for replacements of troops who have overstayed with fresh hands.

“The President and Commander in Chief is interested on what is going on in this Theatre and other operations across the country,” he also said.

On March 15, Attahiru again, pledged to address challenges facing troops fighting Boko Haram insurgents in the northeast, when he visited the troop in Yobe.

Recall that on January 29, Buratai handed over to him as the new COAS.

With the sudden exit, it would appear that all his dreams and aspirations to free Nigeria from the embarrassment of low-grade war have come to naught.

Attahiru was born on 10 August 1966 in Doka, Kaduna North, Local Government Area of Kaduna State. He was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces 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. He holds a master’s degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies from the Nigerian Defence Academy.

There was so much expectation among Nigerians from him when he assumed office some months ago; however, under his watch; suicide bombings and attacks on military formations were on the rise across Nigeria.

Observers say that his death is a blow to the administration’s attempt to check the spate of insecurity across Nigeria and the war against insurgents.