Military
KUDOS TO OUR GALLANT MILITARY AS WE MARK THIS YEAR’S ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION
KUDOS TO OUR GALLANT MILITARY AS WE MARK THIS YEAR’S ARMED FORCES REMEMBRANCE DAY CELEBRATION
By: Zagazola Makama
January 15 of every year is set aside in Nigeria as the Armed Forces Remembrance Day Celebration. On this day, the gallantry, patriotism, loyalty, and sacrifices of the officers and men of the Nigerian Armed Forces are reflected upon and celebrated by the Nigerian people.
The day, no doubt, is worth the while considering that since its institutionalization, the Nigerian Armed Forces establishment has remained an indispensable institution that has played an unquantifiable role in the preservation of Nigeria’s corporate entity.
From its role in projecting Nigeria as a key contributor to world peace through participation in peacekeeping operations across the world to its patriotism in waging a civil war to keep the country one and keeping to its constitutional obligation of defending the country from external aggression and internal insurrection, the Nigerian Armed Forces has remained true to its nationalistic calling.
As of today, many countries across the world are battling with serious internal security challenges, mostly in the form of insurgency, terrorism, and other forms of violent crimes. Unfortunately, our dear country is having a heavy dose of this global malady and, worse still, is being assailed in many fronts by vicious insurgents backed by international terrorist organizations and unrelenting cross-border bandits, kidnappers, and plunderers wreaking havoc in our communities and impairing our citizens.
Never in history has Nigeria been so buffeted with the multiplicity of internal security challenges, ranging from terrorism to armed banditry, herdsmen-farmers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery, separatist agitation, cult and ritual killings, etc., as is happening now.
In all of these serious security challenges that have posed threats to national security, who else but the gallant Nigerian Armed Forces are called upon to protect Nigerians and defend the sovereignty of Nigeria? Who else is on the harm’s way taking bullets on our behalf if not our gallant troops? Never in its history, not even during the civil war, has our Armed Forces been so stretched with the task of providing internal security assistance to the point of deploying troops to 36 of the 36 states in the country, as is the case today.
Thanks to the Nigerian military for being able to contend with the relentless, hydra-headed monster of insecurity that is so determined to destroy the peace and stability of our country. Thanks to our brave officers and men who have laid down their lives in defense of our country from fierce enemies and brutal adversaries.
Thanks to our patriotic military that recognizes their constitutional obligation of protecting our democracy and defending our sovereignty. Thanks to our gallant military for not shirking their onerous responsibility right from the commencement of the offensive against the Nigerian state by the Boko Haram terrorists and other enemies of our country.
Many members of the Armed Forces have laid down their lives in pursuit of global peace; many paid the ultimate price in the fight against terrorism in the North East and in defending our country from other violent criminals.
Many others have lost their limbs or have been maimed for life; many young families of military personnel have been thrown into mourning and sorrow; and many more soldiers are still in harm’s way, doing all they could to defend and protect us from those who seek to destroy us.
To these, Nigerian people owe them a world of debt, a debt of gratitude, and on this occasion, we are called upon to celebrate and honor our departed heroes and heroines and to pray for the repose of their souls. We are called to remember families, relations, loved ones, and those who daily bear the pain and deprivation of their absence.
The solemnity of this day compels us to reflect on the fact that the war against enemies of our country is not a battle for our soldiers alone. All of us men and women of goodwill have a role to play in the defense of our dear country. What our military and all other agencies that are engaged in the war against terror and other internal security operations across the country need at this moment are unflinching solidarity, support, and cooperation.
As citizens, we must ensure that their morale is boosted and their fighting spirit is up at all times. That is the least we owe our patriotic and dutiful members of the Nigerian Armed Forces.
End
Nigerian Army activates three new battalions in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army has operationalised three new Infantry Battalions in Zamfara State as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and enhance rapid response to emerging threats across the state.
The newly activated formations are the 12 Infantry Battalion, Bakura; 23 Infantry Battalion, Kaura Namoda; and 28 Infantry Battalion, Anka.
A statement by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division Nigerian Army and Commander, Sector 2, Joint Task Force, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Maj.-Gen. B.P. Koughna, said the development would expand the Army’s operational coverage and improve security within the battalions’ respective Areas of Responsibility.
The statement, issued by the Acting Brigade Commander, Col. Umaru, said the Army remained committed to sustained operations aimed at protecting law-abiding citizens and restoring lasting peace across Zamfara.
Col. Umaru called for stronger collaboration among the military, other security agencies, traditional institutions and communities, stressing that timely and credible intelligence remained critical to successful security operations.
He also charged the newly deployed troops to maintain discipline, professionalism and vigilance while operating within their constitutional mandate and established Rules of Engagement.
The Acting Brigade Commander urged the troops to remain responsive to the security needs of the communities within their areas of responsibility and to sustain close engagement with local stakeholders.
In separate remarks, the Emirs of Bakura, Anka and Kaura Namoda commended the Nigerian Army for establishing the additional battalions.
The traditional rulers described the move as an important step towards strengthening security and restoring normalcy in communities across the state.
They pledged the continued support of traditional institutions through community mobilisation, cooperation and information sharing with security agencies.
The activation of the three battalions is expected to further enhance the Army’s presence and operational reach in Zamfara State, particularly in areas requiring faster response to security threats.
Nigerian Army activates three new battalions in Zamfara
GOC 3 Division engages Bokkos stakeholders over farmer-herder conflicts
By: Zagazola Makama
The General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander, Operation Enduring Peace, Maj. Gen. W.M. Dangana, has engaged district heads and other stakeholders in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State as part of efforts to address recurring farmer-herder conflicts in the area.
Maj. Gen. Dangana arrived at the headquarters of Sector 5, Operation Enduring Peace, in Bokkos at about 1:00 p.m. on September 19, 2026, where he was received by the Sector Commander.
The GOC thereafter proceeded to the Palace of the Saf Bokkos, where he held an engagement meeting with district heads and other stakeholders from across the local government area.
The engagement formed part of ongoing non-kinetic efforts by the military and other stakeholders to address the underlying tensions between farming and herding communities and promote peaceful coexistence.
Discussions with traditional leaders and community stakeholders are expected to support the identification of local grievances, strengthen communication with security agencies and help prevent disputes from escalating into violence.
The engagement was conducted peacefully and without any incident.
GOC 3 Division engages Bokkos stakeholders over farmer-herder conflicts
Army committee inspects sites for new 237 Tank Battalion in Bauchi
By Zagazola Makama
A high-level military committee has inspected proposed locations for the establishment of the newly formed 237 Tank Battalion in Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State.
The inspection was conducted on Sept. 17, 2026, by a committee led by the Commander, 33 Artillery Brigade, Brig.-Gen. S.S. Shehu.
The delegation included the Bauchi State Commissioner for Lands, the Chief Security Adviser to the Bauchi State Government and the Chairman of Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area, among other officials.
On arrival at the headquarters of Sector 8, Sub-Sector 82, Operation ENDURING PEACE, in Tafawa Balewa, the delegation was received by the Sub-Sector Commander, Maj. F. Ogunleke.
Ogunleke subsequently led the committee on an inspection of selected temporary facilities being considered to accommodate the battalion.
Among the facilities inspected were the ATBU Annex and the Government Girls Secondary School, Tafawa Balewa.
The committee also assessed two locations being considered for the permanent establishment of the battalion one in Tafawa Balewa and another in Murno, Boto District of the local government area.
The inspection ended at about 1:30 p.m., after which the committee proceeded to Toro for further engagements as part of the ongoing process for establishing the battalion.
The development is part of efforts to identify suitable facilities and locations for the operational deployment and long-term accommodation of the newly established military formation.
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