The Nigerian Army has renamed its 13 Brigade Headquarters in Calabar, Cross River State, after its former Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Ibrahim Attahiru, who died in a military aircraft crash in 2021.
The honour is particularly significant as Attahiru once commanded the same military formation now named after him, giving the renaming a historical connection to his years of service.
From his days as a commander in Calabar to the highest office in the Nigerian Army, General Attahiru’s military career was marked by a series of leadership responsibilities.
His tenure as Chief of Army Staff was cut short on May 21, 2021, when he died alongside other military personnel in an aircraft crash in Kaduna State, North-West Nigeria.
Five years after his death, the Army has chosen to preserve his legacy at a formation where he once served.
Performing the renaming ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Waidi Shaibu, said the decision reflects the Nigerian Army’s commitment to recognising officers whose service and sacrifice have left lasting marks on the institution.
The General Officer Commanding, GOC, 82 Division, Major-General Ayobami Fadiero, also spoke on the significance of the renaming, particularly its implications for the values and professional standards expected of officers and soldiers serving under the new identity.
Representing Governor Bassey Otu at the ceremony, his deputy, Peter Odey, described the honour as a fitting tribute to a military officer whose service remains part of Nigeria’s military history.
For the widow of the late General, Fatima Attahiru, the renaming carries a deeply personal meaning, as the Army formally preserves the memory of her husband’s service and sacrifice.
For the Nigerian Army, the renaming goes beyond immortalising a fallen service chief.
It places the legacy of General Attahiru before generations of officers and soldiers who will serve at the formation, reminding them of a life dedicated to duty, leadership and sacrifice.
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(Editor: Terverr Tyav)
