Attahiru: Death has robbed us of a great asset, says Ekhomu

National President of the Association of Industrial Security and Safety Operators of Nigeria (AISSON), Dr. Ona Ekhomu, says the plane crash that killed late Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen Ibrahim Attahiru, has robbed the nation of a great leadership asset in the war against insurgency at a time that the threat is mutating and assuming a terrible dimension.

Attahiru was killed in an air mishap in Kaduna on 21st May 2021 along with ten other military personnel.

While expressing his condolences to the Chief of Defence Staff, General Lucky Irabor and the entire Armed forces of Nigeria (AFN), the security expert said late Attahiru employed a productive and congruent leadership style in motivating Nigerian troops in the war against insurgency in the Northeast.

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He said that the military chief relied upon expectancy theory and self-fulfilling prophecies (Pygmalion effect) when he charged the troops and this was responsible for the recent successes of the military against Boko Haram/ISWAP.

The security expert described Gen. Attahiru as a great hero who fought hard to ensure peace and security in Nigeria. He said that in the short time that Attahiru served as the Chief of Army Staff, there was a rejuvenation of the spirit of the Nigerian Army.

Ekhomu said that it was apparent that the COAS cared deeply about his men, often assuring soldiers on the frontlines that he would provide needed energic inputs for their work –including welfare. “The troops worked hard because they believed that the Chief had their backs,” he added.

He also paid tribute to other senior military executives who perished in the flight including the Director of Military Intelligence, Brig. Gen. Kuliya, the Provost Marshal, Brig. Gen Olayinka, the Chief of Staff to the COAS, Brig. Gen. Abdulkadir saying that their loss was a low blow to the military community.

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He advised the AFN to focus attention on the insurgency in the Northeast even as it mourns the fallen heroes because recent events – including the reported but unconfirmed death of Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau are redefining the battle space.

Ekhomu, who is the first chartered security professional in West Africa said: “the events of May 19th in Sambisa Forest may mean that the insurgency has changed into higher gear as ISWAP is better resourced and more brutal than Boko Haram. Taking over Sambisa forest will give ISWAP full control of the entire Borno insurgency space.”

He expressed worry that ISWAP was consolidating its control of southern Borno as it on Saturday (22nd May 2021) reportedly named Abu Musab Al Barnawi as the replacement of Mr. Shekau and also announced the arrest of 30 of Shekau’s commanders. He worried that ISWAP was acting as the de facto government in the area.