Ikpea mourns COAS, Lt.-Gen Attahiru, others
By Peter Ejiofor
The Chairman, Nigeria Football Supporters Club (NFSC), Rev. Samuel Ikpea, has joined others in mourning the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru and others, praying for their souls’ eternal repose.
Attahiru and others died in an Airforce aircraft crash near Kaduna International Airport on Friday.
Ikpea in a statement by the NFSC Media Officer, Mr Peter Ejiofor, expressed shock and sadness over the unfortunate incident, and prayed God to grant them eternal rest.
“We pray for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the unfortunate incident and admonish the military to continue with the patriotic efforts to secure the country. Lt. Gen. Attahiru served Nigeria meritoriously, bringing his skill, experience and expertise to bear in prosecuting the war against terrorism in the country. He will always be remembered for his gallantry, patriotism,
commitment to service and dedication to our fatherland,’’ Ikpea, chairman of Nigeria’s foremost football supporters club said.
He noted that Attahiru died at the time his services were needed most by Nigerians, adding: “It’s devastating and most unfortunate, but God knows the best.’’
Attahiru, born on Aug.10, 1966, served as the 25th Chief of Army Staff of the Nigerian Army from Jan. 26 until his death in a military plane crash near Kaduna International Airport, Kaduna State.
He was born in Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area and was a graduate of the Nigerian Defence Academy, Armed Forces Command and Staff College and Nigerian Army School of Infantry among other qualifications
Attahiru had a tour of duty with the United Nations in Sierra Leone as a Military Observer, where he facilitated the United Kingdom military engagement Operation BARASS in September 2000.
He was an Operation Officer and later Company Commander in NIBATT 19 ECOMOG Operations in Liberia. Also, he had the unique privilege of having commanded with distinction all through the chain of command in the Nigerian Army.
Prominent among these appointments are Commanding Officer 146 Battalion Nigerian Army (Operation HARMONY IV) in the Bakassi Peninsula, Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army (Operation PULO SHIELD), General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army.
He was one time Theatre Commander Operation LAFIYA DOLE (the Counter Terrorism and Counter Insurgency Outfit in North Eastern Nigeria).
It is on record that he brought relative stability to the region with the surrender of several Boko Haram combatants.
