Ibrahim Attahiru CFR psc(+) GSS CMH ndc (K) FCMH NAM was a highly decorated Nigerian army officer who briefly served as the Chief of Army Staff from 28 January 2021 until his untimely death on 21 May 2021 in a plane crash. His career spanned nearly four decades, marked by distinguished service in various capacities, both domestically and internationally.
Early Life and Education
Date of Birth: 10 August 1966
Place of Birth: Doka, Kaduna North Local Government Area, Kaduna State, Nigeria.
Educational Background:
Nigerian Defence Academy: Commenced officer cadet training in January 1984 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in December 1986.
Advanced Military Education:
Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Nigeria.
Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
Academic Qualifications:
Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and Policy Studies – Nigerian Defence Academy.
Master of Science in Human Resources Management and Development – Salford University, UK.
Graduate Diploma in International Studies – University of Nairobi.
International Military Training:
Attended specialized courses in Kenya, China, Harvard University (USA), and Agha Khan University (Nairobi), among others.
Military Career
Early Career:
Joined the Nigerian Army as an Infantry Officer, rising steadily through the ranks due to his leadership and operational acumen.
Notable Positions:
Field and Operational Roles:
Operations officer for ECOMOG in Liberia.
Facilitator of Operation Barras (2000) in Sierra Leone during his UN peacekeeping mission with UNAMSIL.
Staff Roles:
Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, Defence Headquarters, Abuja.
Chief of Defence Logistics, working on enhancing operational readiness.
Educational Contributions:
Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy and the Nigerian Army School of Infantry.
Chief Instructor and Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji, Kaduna.
International Contributions:
Played critical roles in international peacekeeping missions, including UN and ECOWAS operations in Sierra Leone and Liberia.
Leadership Training:
Participated in leadership and security policy courses at global institutions, including Harvard University and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.
Appointment as Chief of Army Staff
On 28 January 2021, Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed Chief of Army Staff by President Muhammadu Buhari, tasked with leading Nigeria’s military amid escalating security challenges, including the Boko Haram insurgency and banditry in the northern regions.
Death and Legacy
On 21 May 2021, Attahiru and 10 others perished in a Nigerian Air Force Beechcraft B300 King Air 350i crash near Kaduna International Airport. He was en route to attend a Passing Out Parade of the 80 Regular Recruit Intake at Depot Nigerian Army. His death was a significant loss to Nigeria’s military and national security efforts.
Honors and Decorations
Throughout his career, Lieutenant General Attahiru received numerous awards for his exemplary service:
UNAMSIL Medal (United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone).
ECOMOG Medal (Economic Community of West African States Monitoring Group).
Forces Service Star (FSS).
Meritorious Service Star (MSS).
Distinguished Service Star (DSS).
Grand Service Star (GSS).
Corps Medal of Honour.
Command Medal and Field Command Medal of Honour.
Impact
Attahiru’s career was marked by dedication to service, leadership in critical operations, and contributions to military education and innovation. His death brought a wave of national mourning and underscored the risks faced by Nigeria’s military leaders in their service to the nation. His legacy remains a testament to resilience and commitment in the face of challenges.
