Late Chief of Staff Attahiru Had Plans To Defeat Boko Haram/ISWAP– House Of Reps

Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Army, Abdulrazak Sa’ad Namdas, has revealed that the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, had rolled out plans todefeat terrorism in the country before his sudden death.

Attahiru died on Friday in a plane crash that killed the COAS and some senior military officers who were in his entourage.

Reps Namdas said he and the late Gen. Attahiru were in Makurdi, Benue State, on an official duty on Thursday–a day before his death.

The lawmaker expressed shock over the news of the death of the former Army boss.

In a statement released on Saturday, Namdas described the late army chief as an energetic officer who was committed to the improvement of the force and the nation’s security.

He said:
“The House Committee on Army receives with shock the news of the sudden death of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, which occurred in an air incident in Kaduna on Friday.

“Lt.-Gen. Attahiru was an energetic officer, who was committed to improving the security of the country, especially prosecuting the war against insurgency.

“In his brief stay in office as the COAS, the late Attahiru had a rolled-out plan on how to defeat Boko Haram and bring under control, other security threats, which the country faced in recent years.

“The committee notes that it is unfortunate that Lt.-Gen. Attahiru did not live to see to the successful execution of his counter-terrorism strategies.

“The Committee commiserates with the Nigerian Army, his immediate family and the Federal Government over this untimely incident, and prays the Almighty God to grant his soul and the souls of all other passengers, who died in the air mishap, eternal rest.

“The Committee urges the hierarchy of the Nigerian Army and all gallant officers and men to remain focused and re-commit themselves to the task of safeguarding the territorial integrity of Nigeria”, the statement read.

The committee on Air Force also in a statement signed by its chairman, Hon. Shehu Koko, described as painful and shocking the unfortunate death of Attahiru and eleven others on board the plane that crashed Friday evening enroute Kaduna.

“The news of the crash is still a shock to me as I am aware of his hard work and tour to states across the Federation in a bid to find a lasting solution to the security challenges facing the country.

“It is unfortunate that this is coming at a time when the country’s service chiefs are doing everything possible to win the war against insurgency in Nigeria

“This is painful and shocking, as I condole with President Muhammadu Buhari, the Military, Nigerian Army and Air force”, he said.

Koko added that he is not unmindful of their dedication and gallant effort to secure the country, tasking them not to relent in their fight against insurgency in Nigeria.

On Friday the Army confirmed the passing away of Attahiru, saying the event occurred following an air crash in Kaduna which also claimed the lives of 10 other officers including the crew.

The COAS was enroute Kaduna from Abuja on Friday, 21 May, 2021 when the incident happened.