Nigerian Army renames Calabar barracks after late COAS Attahiru, immortalises fallen general
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has immortalised its late former Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru, by renaming Akim Barracks, Headquarters 13 Brigade, Calabar, Cross River State, after him.
The historic ceremony was performed on Tuesday, Nov. 10, 2026, by the incumbent Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
The renaming of the barracks as Ibrahim Attahiru Barracks is in recognition of the late general's service, exemplary leadership and ultimate sacrifice in defence of Nigeria.
Attahiru, who died alongside other military officers in a plane crash on May 21, 2021, while serving as COAS, was remembered for his courage, professional competence, discipline and commitment to strengthening the Nigerian Army.
Speaking at the ceremony, Shaibu described the renaming as a deliberate institutional effort to preserve the memory of distinguished military leaders and reinforce the values upon which the Nigerian Army is built.
He said although Attahiru's tenure as Chief of Army Staff was relatively brief, his vision for operational effectiveness, personnel welfare, professionalism and troop fighting spirit continued to inspire the military.
According to him, immortalising the late general, who once commanded the barracks, goes beyond preserving his memory, as it establishes a lasting connection between the Army's heritage and the responsibilities of serving and future generations of military personnel.
The COAS charged officers and soldiers of 13 Brigade to justify the honour through exemplary leadership, discipline, integrity, operational excellence and stronger relationships with the communities they are deployed to protect.
He urged the troops to uphold the highest standards of military conduct and contribute to building a well-trained, properly equipped and highly motivated force capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities.
Shaibu further stressed the need for the Army to remain effective within a joint and multi-agency operational environment, particularly in addressing the country's evolving security challenges.
Earlier, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 82 Division Nigerian Army, and Commander, Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, Maj.-Gen. Ayobami Fadiero, commended the COAS for his commitment to troop welfare and the decision to immortalise the late general.
Fadiero said the gesture would strengthen institutional pride and boost the morale of personnel serving in the division.
The Governor of Cross River State, Sen. Bassey Otu, represented by his deputy, Dr Peter Odey, also paid tribute to the late Attahiru, describing his life as an enduring example of exemplary leadership, humility and patriotism.
Odey said the late general's legacy remained worthy of emulation, particularly by members of the Armed Forces and younger Nigerians.
In her remarks, the wife of the late general, Mrs Fatima Attahiru, expressed appreciation to the COAS and the Nigerian Army for the honour, describing it 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.
The renaming adds to the Nigerian Army's institutional efforts to preserve the contributions and sacrifices of its fallen leaders while inspiring serving personnel to sustain the tradition of courage, professionalism and selfless service to the nation.
