COAS charges 3,439 new Nigerian Army recruits to uphold professionalism, soldier ethos

By: Zagazola Makama

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General W. Shaibu, on Saturday charged 3,439 newly enlisted recruits of the Nigerian Army to uphold professionalism, soldier ethos, and the core values of the service as they begin their military careers.

Speaking at the passing out parade of the Regular Recruits Intake at Depot Nigerian Army Zaria, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the event as a milestone in the Nigerian Army’s strategic drive to expand its manpower and strengthen national security.

“It is indeed gratifying to note that the Nigerian Army’s strategic goal of expanding its manpower has been given a significant boost with this passing out parade.

“For these young Nigerians, today marks the beginning of a journey of sacrifice, patriotism, and commitment to the service of our nation,” he said.

The COAS urged the recruits to take pride in joining the Army at a critical moment in Nigeria’s history, when the country faces multiple security challenges including terrorism, insurgency, and other threats to national stability.

“You are now stakeholders in the noble task of securing our fatherland. The challenges ahead are daunting, but the rigorous training you have received, coupled with the purposeful leadership you will encounter in the field, will prepare you for whatever the future holds,” he said.

Shaibu charged the recruits to exhibit warrior ethos, diligence, discipline, and professionalism as they integrate into various formations and units.

He assured that their welfare and wellbeing have been prioritized, with all necessary measures put in place to support them in and out of service.

The COAS highlighted reforms in Army training across the three depots, emphasizing the streamlining of curricula to focus on marksmanship, fieldcraft, and mission-oriented skills necessary to produce combat-ready and lethal soldiers.

He also noted that recruits would have access to specialist training to maintain operational readiness throughout their careers.

In addition, Lieutenant General Shaibu informed the recruits that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the establishment of a new Depot Nigerian Army in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, aimed at boosting training capacity and providing more well-trained troops for deployment across the country.

He further announced that other depots, including Depot Nigerian Army Osogbo, will soon hold similar passing out parades.

“Our command philosophy is to advance the transformation of the Nigerian Army into a more professional, adaptable, combat-ready, and resilient force, capable of decisively discharging its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.

“Our soldiers are the core and enduring strength of the Nigerian Army, and your training and welfare remain critical to our success,” he said.

The COAS commended the commandants, staff, and instructors of Depot Zaria for producing a steady stream of well-trained manpower capable of contributing effectively to national security objectives.

He also expressed appreciation to President Tinubu, the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, Senator Uba Sani, and the Emir of Zazzau, Ambassador Alhaji Ahmad Nuhu Bamalli, for their steadfast support to the Nigerian Army and hosting the Depot.

Lieutenant General Shaibu concluded by congratulating the families of the recruits for supporting their decision to join the Nigerian Army and urged the soldiers to act with hope, courage, and determination.

“Always act with the hope for success and never with the fear of failure. Uphold the values and ethos of the Nigerian Army as you serve the nation,” he said.

The parade, which included full military drill, inspection, and symbolic handing over of the Nigerian Army insignia to the recruits, demonstrated the Army’s commitment to producing disciplined, professional, and combat-ready personnel capable of defending the territorial integrity of Nigeria.

COAS charges 3,439 new Nigerian Army recruits to uphold professionalism, soldier ethos

Rising attacks on herders by Plateau Militia deepen fear of reprisals as 168 cattle rustled in coordinated assaults

By: Zagazola Makama

A renewed wave of attacks targeting herders in Plateau State has revived fears of another cycle of reprisals in a region long strained by ethno-religious tensions. On Wednesday evening, gunmen struck in Barkin Ladi and Jos East local government areas, rustling 168 cattle in coordinated assaults that left pastoral communities anxious and aggrieved.

According to the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the first incident occurred around Nding community in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, where 137 cattle were rustled.

A second attack followed in Kukukah community of Jos East LGA, where 34 cattle were driven away, although three later returned home.

The stolen cattle belonged to three herders: Alhaji Wada Sale, Abdullahi Yusuf and Alhaji Talba Abubakar. Babayo explained that he immediately contacted heads of security agencies, including the DSS, Operation Enduring Peace and other formations, as soon as information about the attack reached him.
Yet, less than 24 hours later, another disturbing incident was reported.

Nine cows died instantly after allegedly consuming poisonous substances around Kwi village in Riyom LGA.
The poisoning, reportedly deliberate, has intensified concerns among stakeholders who fear the region may slide deeper into retaliatory violence if urgent steps are not taken.

For months, conflict analyst and security expert, Zagazola Makama has consistently warned of a growing pattern of targeted attacks on herders in Plateau, often carried out in remote areas where response times are slow. investigations have shown how cattle rustling, ambushes and poisoning of livestock have, over the years, triggered violent reprisals that leave communities shattered. These early signs, if ignored, frequently escalate into full-blown crises.

This pattern is well-known. When attackers strike herders and rustle cattle, reprisals often follow in farming communities. That is how Plateau has remained trapped in a cycle of violence.

Despite repeated alerts from MACBAN, community leaders and reporters, many believe the Plateau State Government has not taken firm steps to confront the trend. Many worry that the state’s silence is widening the cracks in an already fragile landscape. Failure to prosecute perpetrators or strengthen preventive mechanisms has emboldened criminal actors who exploit the region’s fragile inter-communal relations.

Across Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Riyom, tension remains high. Pastoral families who lost cattle say the attacks threaten their livelihoods, while farmers fear the possibility of retaliatory violence. Zagazola warned that without intervention, extremism and bitterness could grow. Thursday’s poisoning of cows in Riyom an act seen as both provocative and dangerous has added another layer of anxiety.

As Plateau State enters the festive season, we hope that authorities will break the cycle of complacency and confront what many describe as a predictable and preventable chain of violence.

If not, the state risks yet another round of reprisals that could deepen long-standing divisions and further endanger rural communities.

Rising attacks on herders by Plateau Militia deepen fear of reprisals as 168 cattle rustled in coordinated assaults

Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe

The Gombe State government in collaboration with the Federal Government and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), has inaugurated the National Immunisation Plus Days campaign in the state.

The integrated campaign is targeting 1, 046, 553 beneficiaries, comprising 832, 427 children for vaccination against polio and 214,126 pregnant women to be provided multiple micronutrient supplements.

Mr Manassah Jatau, the state’s Deputy Governor while inaugurating the campaign on Friday in Swa community in Balanga LGA of Gombe State said the event also marked the launch of the Maternal Newborn and Child Health Week (MNCHW).

Jatau who was represented by Dr Ahmed Kashere, Chairman of the Governing Council of the Gombe State Primary HealthCare Development Agency described the campaign as crucial towards protecting the health of children and expectant mothers.

He said that the integrated campaign would ensure that children were protected from diseases that threaten their lives.

“This campaign targets 832,427 eligible children and pregnant mothers across 11 LGAs, focusing on polio vaccination for children under five.

“It will ensure vitamin A supplementation for 770,852 children aged 6-59 months, to boost their immune system and prevent night blindness

“Deworming for children aged 12-59 months, to improve their nutritional status and reduce the burden of worm infestation would also be part of the campaign.

“During the exercise, malnutrition screening for children aged 6-59 months, to identify and manage malnutrition early would be carried out.

“Multiple micronutrient supplements would be provided for 214,126 pregnant women, to ensure they have the necessary nutrients for a healthy pregnancy,” he said.

According to him, Sulphadoxine pyrimethamine will be provided for pregnant women, to prevent malaria and its complications.

Jatau stated that the campaign would also feature health education on key household practices, to empower communities across the state with knowledge on healthy living.

He urged all stakeholders, community members, and well-meaning individuals to support the campaign, towards protecting children, pregnant women, while promoting healthy practices in communities.

The deputy governor commended development partners for their continued support and commitment to improving health outcomes in the state while also appreciating community leaders and health workers for their contributions.

Mr Haruna Gambo, the Zonal Technical Officer, National Primary HealthCare Development Agency restated the commitment of the Federal Government to the wellbeing of children and mothers across the state and country.

Gambo said that the collaborative approach through the integrated campaign would strengthen the immunisation system towards improving the health of communities.

In her remarks, Dr. Nuzhat Rafique, Chief UNICEF Bauchi Field Office said that the earlier campaign in the year recorded remarkable success, reaching thousands of children.

Rafique said that the success of the earlier campaign demonstrated what is possible when governments, communities, health workers, and partners unite behind a common goal.

She stated that immunisation remained one of the most powerful tools to protecting children from life-threatening, yet entirely preventable, diseases.

“In Gombe State, the immunisation campaign is being integrated with the MNCHW to ensure that more children and mothers are reached with essential health services.

“As part of our support, UNICEF has provided over 20,000 bottles of Multiple Micronutrient Supplements (MMS) for pregnant women.

“We have also provided over 700,000 doses of Vitamin A to boost the immunity of children and keep them healthy,” she said.

While thanking all donors and governments at all levels, Rafique called on parents, caregivers, community leaders, and partners across all sectors to “help ensure that no child is missed.”

Mothers who came out en masse with their children told our Correspondent that they were appreciative of the government and development partners’ efforts at offering them free vaccines and supplements.

According to them, mothers and their children in their community no longer fall ill as they used to since they embraced health initiatives from the government and donor partners.

Integrated campaign to boost health of 1m children, women in Gombe