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Life And Times Of Nigeria’s Late Army Chief, General Ibrahim Attahiru

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The Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Ibrahim Attahiru who died in an air crash in Kaduna on Friday, was born on August 10, 1966.

Interestingly, he hailed from Doka in Kaduna, the State he passed away.

He was appointed  as an Army Chief by President Muhammadu Buhari in January 2021 along with General Leo Irabor – Chief of Defence Staff; Vice Admiral A. Z. Gambo – Chief of Naval Staff, and Air Marshal I. O. Amao – Chief of Air Staff.

Within four months, the Nigerian Army under Attahiru recorded considerable success. Though troops were lost, several terrorists were eliminated.

The military launched a series of assault in the Sambisa general area and sects’ hideouts. Attahiru regularly visited Borno, the epicenter of the insurgency in Nigeria.

Under him, Operation Tura Takai Bango, the military’s first major operation this year to degrade threats in the North-East emerged. It was victorious.

The Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) is assisting the offensive. Boko Haram commanders, Abul-Bas, Ibn Habib, Ali Bor and Maleum Modu, among others fell to firepower.

In February, Attahiru announced plan to launch the second phase of year 2021 counter-insurgency operation.

On various occasions, he hailed the synergy between the air and ground forces, and credited successes to the partnership.

The top military officer died three weeks after renaming the Operation in the North-East from Operation Lafiya Dole (OPLD) to Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK).

Army spokesman, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Yerima explained that the decision was taken based on the need to re-align for better efficiency.

“The renaming is in line with the COAS vision of having an Army repositioned to professionally defeat all adversaries”, Yerima noted.

He quoted Attahiru as saying the complete defeat of insurgency is a process that requires the stakeholders’ participation, using all elements of national power.

Before their appointments, Irabor and Attahiru were Commander and Deputy Commander at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) of the Nigerian Army, in Minna, Niger State.

Established in 1981, TRADOC is a research-oriented formation. The Command is charged with doctrinal training and combat development.

It supervises and coordinates research and development of all training schools, depots and the command college of the Nigerian Army.

TRADOC serves as a major senior think-tank and a liaison centre between the Army and educational establishments to ensure professional development of officers.

It also serves as headquarters for directing the operational tasks of various divisions of the Army that are on deployment.

Annually, TRADOC conducts and supervises the Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination (SSCQE) for officers in the ranks of Major and Captain across all units.

Attahiru served as Theatre Commanders of Operation Lafiya Dole, the central outfit of the Army in North-Eastern Nigeria.

Irabor handed over the leadership of the unit to Attahiru on May 30, 2017.

Attahiru obtained a Graduate Diploma from the University of Nairobi, Kenya and holds Master’s degrees from the Nigerian Defence Academy and Salford University in the United Kingdom.

He attended the National Defence College, Kenya; the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army Special Forces Academy, Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province,; Bournemouth University, United Kingdom; and the Geneva Centre for Security Policy.

Attahiru served as the Deputy Director Office of Military Secretary; Director, Army Public Relations; Commanding Officer, 146 Battalion in the Bakassi Peninsula; Commander, 13 Brigade (Pulo Shield) in the South-South; and the General Officer Commanding 82nd Division, Enugu.

He was the Deputy Chief of Policy and Plans at the Army Headquarters; Chief of Defence Transformation and Innovation, and Chief of Defence Logistics, at Defence Headquarters Abuja.

Attahiru was on different contingents of the ECOWAS Monitoring Group (ECOMOG), United Nations Mission in Sierra Leone (UNAMSIL) and the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL).

As Theatre Commander in Borno, Attahiru created dugouts along the crossing points of terrorists, to deny them freedom of action and stem the conduct of their nefarious activities, before launching Mobile Strike Teams (MSTs).

The teams reinforced the Mobile Brigade Concept (MBC) adopted in the Theatre to facilitate the quick defeat of enemies of the state.

 

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Boko Haram Demands $300,000 Ransom For Abducted Borno Ex-LG Chair, Another Victim

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A new video has emerged showing two men reportedly kidnapped by Boko Haram insurgents in Borno State, pleading for assistance to secure their release.

 

One of the captives, former Biu Local Government Area Chairman Hassan Biu Miringa, revealed that their abductors are demanding a $300,000 ransom.

 

Miringa said he and another individual were taken in December 2025 and have remained in the custody of the militants.

 

In the video shared by Zagazola Makama, Miringa introduced himself, saying: “I am Hassan Biu Miringa, former Chairman of Biu Local Government from 2020 to 2022. Four years after my tenure, we were kidnapped by the soldiers of Khilafa about two weeks ago. Alhamdulillah, we are still alive, but we urgently need help to save our lives.”

 

He added that negotiations with the kidnappers had been underway, with some preliminary agreements reportedly reached.

 

“We have engaged them on four separate occasions and reached an understanding. We appeal to our leaders, especially Borno State Deputy Governor Alhaji Usman Umar Kadafur, the National Assembly representative for Biu, Kwaya, and Shani Hon. Betera Aliyu, as well as our community leaders, to temper justice with mercy and assist us. We are their children and have been working together,” Miringa said.

 

He confirmed the ransom demand, explaining that each captive is expected to pay $150,000, totaling $300,000 for their freedom, and pleaded for urgent intervention to reunite with their families.

 

The video highlights ongoing concerns over kidnappings and insecurity in southern Borno State, which have persisted despite government efforts to curb insurgent activity in the region.

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How Rivers Women Spread Wrappers For Wike’s Motorcade During Port Harcourt Visit

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The Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Saturday visited Port Harcourt City Local Government as part of his “thank you” visit across Rivers State.

 

Upon his arrival, a group of women displayed a symbolic gesture of loyalty by spreading their wrappers on the ground for his motorcade.

 

The women and supporters of the Minister were in a jubilant mode as Wike drove on the wrappers.

 

Wike has been going around local governments in the state to appreciate them for their support while reeling out moves ahead of the 2027 general elections.

 

In the course of his visits, the Minister had fired several salvos at political actors in the state, warning that their sudden support for President Bola Tinubu won’t secure them any ticket in 2027.

 

Wike also renewed rivalry with Governor Sim Fubara over the leadership control of the political space in the state.

 

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Impeachment Proceedings Against Fubara, Deputy Still Active – Rivers Assembly

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The Rivers State House of Assembly has officially reaffirmed that the impeachment proceedings against Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his deputy, Prof. Ngozi Odu, are ongoing and have not been suspended.

 

The Assembly said the process is still ongoing and is being conducted strictly in line with constitutional provisions.

 

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Petitions and Complaints, Hon. Enemi George.

 

According to the statement, the impeachment process, which began on Thursday, January 8, 2026, remains on course in line with the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).

 

The lawmakers disclosed that separate notices of allegations bordering on gross misconduct have been served on both the governor and his deputy in line with Section 188 of the Constitution.

 

“The notices of allegations of gross misconduct against the Governor and the Deputy Governor have been duly forwarded to them by the Speaker of the House, Rt. Hon. Martins Amaewhule, and the House is awaiting their responses,” the statement said.

 

The Assembly maintained that it is constitutionally obligated to act in the interest of the rule of law and ensure that no public office holder acts outside legal boundaries.

 

Reacting to reports suggesting that the impeachment move had been halted, the House accused some individuals and media outlets of deliberately spreading misinformation to mislead the public and stir tension between the legislature and Rivers residents.

 

The lawmakers described such reports as false and insisted they would not succumb to intimidation, threats, or blackmail.

 

“We are aware of renewed attempts by certain persons and media platforms to misinform the public by claiming that the impeachment process has been discontinued. The public should disregard such falsehoods, as the process remains active,” the statement added.

 

The Assembly reaffirmed its commitment to democratic principles and constitutional responsibilities, stressing that it would not be distracted by what it termed “cheap propaganda.”

 

It also appreciated the people of Rivers State for their support and prayers amid the ongoing political developments and extended goodwill to Nigerians committed to the nation’s democratic journey.

 

JomogNews reports that during Thursday’s plenary session, presided over by the Speaker, the Majority Leader, Major Jack, formally read the notice of allegations of gross misconduct against Governor Fubara on the floor of the House.

 

 

 

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