*Reminiscence of command transfer in January – The DEFENDER recalls
By BASHIR ADEFAKA
The immediate past Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai (Rtd), in has described the passing away by an ill-fated military flight at Kaduna International Airport on Friday of the Chief of Arm Staff, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 other officers of the armed forces, not only as one that was shocking but had rubbed the nation of services of an Army Chief undoubtedly poised to succeed in military operations across the country.
General Buratai, the Ambassador Designate to the Republic of Benin and former Chief of Army Staff under whom the late General Attahiru served in various capacity, expressed his shock in a statement titled “TRIBUTE AND CONDOLENCE ON THE PASSING AWAY OF THE CHIEF OF ARMY STAFF NIGERIAN ARMY AND SOME SENIOR MILITARY OFFICERS”, personally signed by him with a copy sent to The DEFENDER Saturday.
*Photographs of Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and some of 10 other officers killed in the military plane crash in Kaduna, on Friday 21 May, 2021.
In the statement he said that he did not doubt the ability of the late Army Chief as, according to the former Army top bras, Attahiru had served under him in various capacities and was well grounded for the job with active support and collaboration of his colleagues.
He expressed his condolences to the President and Comnander-in-Chief, Muhammadu Buhari, the armed forces, the families of the departed heroes and all Nigerians even as he prayed that Allah grants them eternal rest.
The Buratai’s tribute read in parts: “I was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the passing away of my immediate successor, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the Acting Chief of Military Intelligence, Acting Provost Marshal (Army), the Aide-de-Camp and the Acting Deputy Director Finance in the office of the COAS, his Orderly, as well as the pilots and crew in an air crash on 21 May 2021 at Kaduna Airport.
“I would like to, on behalf of my family, reiterate my deepest sympathy and condolences to the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces Federal Republic of Nigeria, the families of the deceased, the Honourable Minister of Defence, the Chief of Defence, the Chief of Air Staff, gallant officers, soldiers and airmen of the Armed Forces of Nigeria over the passing away of these courageous, loyal and patriotic Nigerians in line of duty.
“I am deeply saddened by this incident that can best be described as tragic to all Nigerians and peace-loving people because Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru and those officers that died along with him were top-level officers whose records of service were meritorious. .
“This unfortunate incident deeply saddens me as it robbed us of the services of the Chief of Army Staff who, since he took over from me, had left no one in doubt as regards his determination to succeed in the various military operations across the country. He was at the verge of making the nation proud in the counterinsurgency and counterterrorism efforts when this tragedy occurred. I do not doubt his ability as he had served under me in various capacities and was well grounded for the job with active support and collaboration of his colleagues.
“While condoling the Armed Forces of Nigeria, I urge them to close ranks and make sure that their legacy lives on by consolidating on the gains made in the various operations. They gave their lives in the line of duty and patriotic service to the nation.
“My thoughts and prayers are with the families of these great heroes. May the Almighty Allah grant them eternal rest. Amin.”
Buratai, precisely in 28th January 2021, handed over the reigns of command in the Nigrian Army to Attahiru following his appointment by President Muhammadu Buhari.
The Chief of Army Staff, Lt General Ibrahim Attahiru, and 10 others died in the air crash while on an official trip to Kaduna. The victims in details are:
1. LT GEN I ATTAHIRU (COAS)
2. BRIG GEN MI ABDULKADIR.
3. BRIG GEN OLAYINKA.
4. BRIG GEN KULIYA.
5. MAJ LA HAYAT.
6. MAJ HAMZA.
7. SGT UMAR.
CREW
8. FLT LT TO ASANIYI.
9. FLT LT AA OLUFADE.
10. SGT ADESINA.
11. ACM OYEDEPO.
At an elaborate handing over ceremony on Thursday 28 January 2021, coordinated by the Chief of Policy and Plans Nigerian Army, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, the then outgoing Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai told his successor, Lieutenant General Ibrahim Attahiru, to continue from where he stopped by ensuring unalloyed loyalty to democratic rule and professionalism, training and general welfare officers and men being the legacy he left behind for him.
President Muhammadu Buhari had, on Tuesday 26 January accepted the retirement of General Buratai among other service chiefs excluding the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Mohammed Adamu and subsequently announced the appointment of Ibrahim Attahiru alongside other new service chiefs.
In line with the Nigerian Army tradition, the outgone army chief decorated his successor with the insignia of the office and handed the reigns of office to him, Thursday 28 January while the pulling out parade for Buratai later took place the following day of Friday 29 January.
The outgone Chief Of Army Staff (COAS) Buratai, while handing over the mantle of leadership, thanked God for a successful service to the nation and Buhari for finding him worthy. He then urged the new Chief of Army Staff to ensure that the Nigerian Army remained professionally responsive in the discharge of its constitutional duties.
Buratai said that the Army under his watch had ensured that democracy was supported and protected, urging his successor to ensure that the Army continued to be loyal and professional.
He also urged Attahiru to remember him for improved professionalism of the Nigerian Army, improved responsiveness of the Army in the area of training administration and logistics needs of the Army and responsiveness to Nigeria’s democratic imperativeness.
“I am proud to say that Nigerian Army has transformed to become professionally responsive in the defence of democracy with utmost loyalty.
“Today, we have a professionally response army and we have achieved a lot in many areas over the years as well as interagency cooperation.
He commended the principal staff officers, corps commanders, commandant and directors for their cooperation during his time as the army chief.
He also appreciated all the troops serving in all operations both home and abroad, most especially the operation Lafiya Dole, Sahel Sanity and Delta Safe, among others.
Buratai said as a COAS, he was proud to have defended the nation’s democracy and called on officers and men of the Nigerian Army to make it their duty to defend and protect democracy.
Responding, the new COAS pledged to sustain the giant stride of Nigerian Army under Buratai, adding that he considered himself lucky to have been given opportunity to succeed Buratai.
Earlier, the Chief of Policy and Plans, Lieutenant General Lamidi Adeosun, said the former COAS, Buratai, came, saw and conquered, adding that working with Buratai was a rewarding experience.
Adeosun, while extolling the virtues of Buratai, said that he had achieved so much for Nigerian Army in terms of operational efficiency, personnel welfare and establishment of new units and formations.
He said that the Army under Buratai had also progressed well in the area of research and development, especially in the area of manufacturing of hardware locally. He expressed the confidence that the new Army Chief had what it would take to carry on with the big show left by his predecessor.
Adeosun commended Buhari for appointing a worthy successor in the person of Attahiru and congratulated him for successful bowing out of service after years of meritorious service to the nation.
