By Gabriel Ameh
The Nigerian Army has renamed Akim Barracks, headquarters of the 13 Brigade in Calabar, Cross River State, after late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, in recognition of his service and sacrifice to the country.
The facility will now be known as Ibrahim Attahiru Barracks, following a ceremony performed by the current Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, during an operational visit to Cross River State.
The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Nigerian Army spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
According to the Army, the honour recognises Attahiru’s leadership, professional commitment and ultimate sacrifice in the service of Nigeria.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaibu described the renaming as a lasting tribute to the late military chief and an affirmation of the values and traditions of the Nigerian Army.
He said Attahiru demonstrated courage, discipline, professional competence and dedication to duty during a challenging period in Nigeria’s security history.
Although his tenure as Chief of Army Staff was brief, Shaibu noted that his commitment to operational effectiveness, troop welfare, professionalism and military discipline continued to inspire serving personnel.
The COAS added that immortalising the late general, who once commanded the barracks, was intended to connect the Army’s institutional heritage with the responsibilities of current and future generations of military officers.
He urged officers and soldiers of the 13 Brigade to honour Attahiru’s legacy through discipline, integrity, exemplary leadership and stronger relationships with the communities they serve.
Shaibu also called on personnel to maintain high professional standards and work towards building a well-trained, properly equipped and motivated military capable of addressing the country’s security challenges.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Commander of Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDOK, Major General Ayobami Fadiero, commended the COAS for the gesture.
Fadiero said the honour would strengthen institutional pride and boost the morale of military personnel serving in the division.
Cross River State Governor, Senator Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, also paid tribute to the late general.
Otu described Attahiru’s life as an example of leadership, humility and patriotism, urging Nigerians, particularly members of the Armed Forces, to draw inspiration from his service.
The late general’s wife, Mrs Fatima Attahiru, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for the recognition, describing the gesture as a lasting source of pride and comfort to the family.
The ceremony was attended by senior military officers, government officials, members of the late general’s family and residents of the barracks community.
Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru died on May 21, 2021, in a Nigerian Air Force aircraft crash in Kaduna State while serving as Chief of Army Staff.
Source Credit: Nigerian Army statement issued by its spokesperson, Colonel Appolonia Anele.
