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NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
…as Buratai Lauds President Tinubu’s Increased Support in Counterinsurgency Operations
By Lawrence Audu
Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, played host to the 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy NDA as they gathered for their 2024 Annual General Meeting. The event was a celebration of their rich heritage and a reunion of old colleagues.
The evening was filled with cultural dances, jokes, and sumptuous meals, creating a relaxing atmosphere for the members.
Former Chief of Army Staff and former Nigerian Ambassador to the Republic of Benin, Lieutenant General Tukur Buratai, commended the federal government for the support in the war against insurgency.
“Nine years ago, we would never have had the opportunity to gather like this here in Borno and in Maiduguri in particular. Once it is 2 o’clock as someone said, everyone goes inside and remains there till the following morning probably nine or ten. The restrictions were heavy, the atmosphere was charged with so much insecurity. But today, to the Glory of Almighty God, we are thankful to God for the sustained counterinsurgency operations leading to the sustainable security being achieved and being experienced today in the Northeast,” he said.
“We must appreciate the previous administration of President Muhammadu Buhari and thank President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the increased support to the Armed Forces to prosecute the counterinsurgency operations against Boko Haram and its subsequent version of ISWAP.”
Buratai also praised the members for their support during his tenure as Army Chief. “You have been wonderful for over forty years precisely 44 years when we met together for the first time 3rd January 1981 and we have maintained that relationship. I want to thank you for your support to me in particular.
“You stood by me when I was Chief of Army Staff in a very difficult period, the time of the Boko Haram rampage and it was a period that was volatile, uncertain, complex and of course ambiguous environment and times as well. The environments were charged with so much opposition and mischief that is within the sociopolitical environment and within the geographical environment of the northeast also was tensed with the various attacks that have been going on in this area but you stood by me and supported me and together, we succeeded.” He adds.
Commodore MB Teidi (Retd), President of the Association, reflected on the journey that began over four decades ago. “Let me take a moment to reflect on the journey that has brought us to this moment. The history of NDA 29th Regular Course started on 3rd January 1981 when 155 young men reported for military training at the Nigerian Defence Academy. Most of us received the Presidential Commission and thereafter were posted to various services in the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Navy and the Nigerian Air Force to pursue their Military career, while some opted out of the training to pursue their next best destined options.
“The inaugural meeting of this association was initiated by Major TY Buratai when most of the members were on Staff Course at the Command and Staff College Jaji. It was not until 2014 after the burial of one of our course mates, that the idea of a formal body with a constitution was muted. Since then the association has enjoyed consistent yearly meetings in line with its constitution.”
The event brought together former colleagues from across the services and the business community, including serving military personnel such as Major General Wahidi Shuaibu, Theater Commander, Operation Hadin Kai, and the Air Component Commander.
The reunion demonstrated the strong bonds and camaraderie forged during their military careers. As they reminisced about their past experiences, they celebrated their achievements and the progress made in the fight against insurgency.
The 29th Regular Combatant Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy is no doubt, a shining example of the power of friendship and service to the nation. As they look to the future, they continue to stand together, committed to their objectives and to the development of the nation.
NDA 29th Regular Combatant Course Reunites in Maiduguri, Reaffirms Commitment to Nation-Building
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Air Force (NAF), under Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK), has carried out a successful air interdiction, neutralizing scores of Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) terrorists and destroying their logistics hub in Arina, Marte Local Government Area of Borno State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the air operation, which took place on March 9, 2025, at about 0600 hours, was executed based on credible human intelligence (HUMINT) and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR).
The sources intelligence revealed suspicious movements and a large gathering of terrorists at the location, prompting the coordinated air strikes.
According to the sources , the air strikes targeted terrorist logistics, structures, and fighters, dealing a significant blow to their operational capabilities.
“The precision airstrikes effectively neutralized many ISWAP fighters and disrupted their logistics chain in the area. The operation further weakens the group’s ability to launch attacks on civilian and military targets,” the source stated.
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
By: Michael Mike
Yobe State Governor, Hon. Mai Mala Buni has approved the employment of 267 health technicians to boost manpower requirements in health facilities across the state.
According to a statement on Monday by the spokesman to the governor, Mallam Mamman Mohammed, the employment covers 140 Buni Scholars who recently graduated in various fields of medical sciences in India.
Mohammed said the Buni Scholars include 43 Bsc Nursing, 43 Bsc Pharmacy, 22 Bsc Medical Laboratory Science, 24 Bsc Radiology, 7 Bsc Optometry and 1 Bsc Public Health graduates.
The spokesman said the governor had similarly approved the employment of 127 health technician currently serving as volunteers in health institutions across the state.
He said the governor directed the employment of the medical technicians who graduated earlier but were not formally employed but had been serving as volunteers in the medical centers.
According to him, the Buni Scholars are placed on CONHESS 8, while the volunteer technicians were placed on CONHESS 6/2.
The Buni administration had in the last five years consistently offered automatic employment to graduates of the state-owned Shehu Sule College of Nursing and Midwifery to improve personnel in the medical facilities.
It could be recalled that, the Buni administration established primary healthcare centres in the political wards of the state to bring healthcare delivery to the doorstep of the people.
Similarly, the government upgraded the four General Hospitals in Gashua, Potiskum, Geidam and Buni Yadi to Specialist hospitals, and eight Primary health centers to General hospitals while, the State Teaching hospital was equipped with state-of-the-art equipment to make Healthcare delivery accessible and affordable across the state.
Buni Approves Employment of 267 Health Technicians in Yobe
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops conducting clearance operations in Zamfara State have neutralized a notorious bandit leader known as ‘Yellow Aboki’, a close ally of the late terror kingpin, Hassan Bamamu.
Security sources revealed to Zagazola Makama that Yellow Aboki was eliminated in a recent encounter with the troops of Operation FANSAN YANMA in the North West of Tsafe LGA.
His demise comes a weeks after the military’s successful operation that led to the elimination of Hassan Dantawaye also known as Bamamu, a feared bandit commander who was one of his closest associate.
It was gathered that Yellow Aboki had been consolidating his control over criminal activities in Zamfara following the death of Hassan Nabamamu .
He was believed to have been operating within the areas of Bamamu, Dan Mali, Agamalafiya, and Makera, where he coordinated violent attacks and kidnappings.
The Military sustained its crackdown on bandit kingpins in identified enclaves in Zamfara, Sokoto and other troubled areas in the North West.
The sustained pressure has diminished the capacity pf the bandits to confront the troops instead, they had resorted to pockets of attacks within vulnerable communities with less security coverage.
Troops Neutralize Bandit Leader ‘Yellow Aboki’ in Zamfara
Scores of ISWAP Terrorists Killed in Devastating NAF Airstrikes in Borno
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