General Ibrahim Attahiru assumed duty on Thursday, January 28, 2021 as Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff.

In a brief but colourful event that took place during the Handing and Taking Over Ceremony at the Army Headquarters Abuja, Gen Attahru received the flag of office from his predecessor, the outgone Chief of Army Lt Gen Tukur Buratai .

At the event, the former Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Tukur Buratai took time to highlight a number of achievements recorded during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff. According to him, the key achievements include professionalism in the NA, responsiveness in the training, improvement of logistics and welfare of the officers and men of the NA including their members of their families and  responsiveness to the Nigerian democratic imperative.

Gen. Buratai noted that his accomplishments within 66 months that he superintended over the affairs of the Nigerian Army have increased Civil military relations, brought new innovations, cyber warfare, research and development, infrastructural development, production of fighting platforms (military hardware), among others, have drastically improved the fight against insecurity in the country.

He however thanked President Muhammadu Buhari for the honour and privilege to serve the fatherland in the capacity of Chief of Army Staff. He also thanked officers and men of the NA for the loyalty, discipline and commitment accorded to him during his tenure as COAS

Buratai also commended the troops in all the formations and theatre of operations for their show of patriotism, professionalism and dexterity in the fight against insurgents, banditry, kidnapping and other associated crimes in the country.

Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai who was appointed by President Muhammadu Buhari in July 2015 as the Chief of Army Staff, spent 40 years in service as a soldier and 66 months in office as COAS.

Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru was appointed as the new Chief of Army Staff on Tuesday alongside with other Service Chiefs following the resignation of the outgone Service Chiefs on 26th January 2021.

President Buhari had on Wednesday met with the new Service Chiefs and reminded them that Nigeria is in “State of emergency” while charging them to pay more attention to the morale of the officers and men of the military. he also advised to be patriotic in the discharge of their duties and be dedicated to ending insecurity in the country.

Before his appointment as COAS, Gen. Attahiru held several positions in NA , amongst them are ; the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, Nigerian Army Enugu, Deputy Director Military Secretary 2 at the AHQ MS (A), Director Army Public Relations, Theatre Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole , Director Staff Duties and Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans at the Army Headquarters.

*additional reports by Enugu Reporters