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NIGERIAN ARMY CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE AT TRADOC MERIT AWARD 2024
By: Sani Uba
The Training and Doctrine Command Nigerian Army (TRADOC NA) in line with its motto which is “Towards Greater Heights ” remains the centre of excellence for the NA in capacity building and resourcefulness.
Additionally, the command evaluates the proficiency of officers while developing their leadership capabilities that will assist NA in the career planning of officers.
Reward for merit occupies a special place in the life of every service personnel. It is in the light of this that TRADOC NA in conjunction with AHQ put together the fourth edition of TRADOC NA Merit Award for the year 2024 which held on Friday 1 November, 2024 at the newly built Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall in Minna Military Cantonment.
At the occasion, 26 officers who distinguished themselves in various promotional examinations were honoured with awards of academic excellence, as well as a deserving NA Division that performed most commendably among various Div Training Schools.
The command also used the occasion to appreciate some distinguished personalities who contributed to the progress and development of TRADOC NA. The award also sought to reward and recognise hard work, dedication and commitment of NA officers while promoting healthy competition among Corps or institutions towards enhancing professionalism. The 2024 Merit Awards was a testament to the NA’s commitment to excellence and professionalism.
In his remarks at the event, the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, who was the Special Guest of Honour (SGoH), acknowledged the significance of the Merit Award to the NA. The Acting COAS, who was represented by the Director-General, Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa, expressed gratitude to God for the opportunity to celebrate the hard work and dedication of officers who excelled in the NA promotion examinations conducted by the TRADOC NA in the year 2024.
He disclosed that the initiative will encourage officers to prepare adequately for future examinations and stimulate junior officers to strive for excellence thereby, enhancing professionalism in the NA. The Acting COAS also emphasised on the significance of recognising commitment and professionalism of officers, noting that the promotion examinations were crucial determinants of officers’ career progression.
The SGoH congratulated the awardees and highlighted the role of the TRADOC in fostering a culture of excellence and healthy competition among officers.
He also thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu GCFR for his continuous support to the NA. The Acting COAS also commended the Commander, TRADOC NA, Maj Gen Kevin Aligbe for his effort in moving TRADOC in line with international best practices.
Earlier in his welcome address, the Chief Host and Commander TRADOC NA, Maj Gen Kevin Aligbe, reflected on the significance of the Merit Awards, which was first introduced in the year 2021.
Maj Gen Aligbe noted that the awards had become essential in promoting administrative efficiency and operational effectiveness within the Army. He further stated that the evaluations and assessments carried out by TRADOC NA had led to improvements in the quality of training across various NA schools, formations and units.
“This year’s ceremony introduced a new category, the Best Division Award, which evaluates divisions based on the performance of their training schools.“The change aims to recognize the unique challenges faced by different divisions, ensuring a fair assessment of their training activities towards meeting their respective operational tasks.
Maj Gen Aligbe disclosed that the Army’s training objectives for the year 2024 were met, with a comprehensive report expected at the upcoming COAS Annual Conference in Abuja.
“Also, as part of NA’s commitment to community welfare and broader civil-military cooperation, approximately 33,000 educational materials (exercise books and writing materials ) were distributed to over 7,000 children in 4 schools within the Minna Military Cantonment as part of this year’s TRADOC NA Educational Support Programme,” he said.
The Commander TRADOC NA expressed his profound appreciation to the COAS for his unrelenting material as well as financial support to TRADOC NA.
This support, according to him, ensured the completion of the newly commissioned Lt Gen TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall. The merit awards include the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Commendation Award for Excellence, for Lieutenant-Captain Practical Promotion Examination, Awards for the Best Candidates Per Subject in Captain to Major Practical Promotion Examination, Captain to Major Written Promotion Examination as well as award for the Senior Staff Course Qualifying Examination among
The event also marked the commissioning of the newly constructed Lt Gen TA Lagbaja Multipurpose Hall, underscoring the NA’s commitment to enhancing training and social activities within Minna Military Cantonment.
The gigantic project was commissioned by the Acting Chief of Army Staff (COAS) , Maj Gen Olufemi Oluyede represented by the Director General Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre (NAHFC), Maj Gen Obinna Ajunwa.
Also in attendance at the event were Principal Staff Officers from Defence and Service Headquarters , Heads of Defence, Services, Agencies and Establishments , Commanders and Commandants of NA Formations and Schools, Heads and Representatives of the Security Agencies Heads and Representatives of Federal Government Departments and Agencies, Senior Military Officers (Serving and Retired) amongst others.
Some highlights of the event were goodwill messages by some past Commanders of TRADOC NA ( Maj Gens SU Abdulkadir, MA Koleoso and SO Olabanji retired), special performance by NYSC Cultural Troupe and Stereoman Ekwe.
NIGERIAN ARMY CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE AT TRADOC MERIT AWARD 2024
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of the 1 Brigade of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation FANSAN YANMA have neutralised a suspected terrorist and recovered arms during an offensive operation in Shinkafi LGA.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the operation was carried out on March 13 by troops of CT 5, who launched a deliberate clearance mission targeting terrorist camps located at Tubali and Zangon Danmaka.
The sources said the operation followed credible intelligence on the presence of armed bandits and other criminal elements using the locations as operational hideouts.
During the operation at Tubali, troops made contact with the suspected terrorists and engaged them in a brief gun battle, forcing the criminals to flee into nearby forested areas.
“During the engagement, one terrorist was neutralised, while others escaped with possible gunshot wounds,” the source said.
Following the encounter, troops conducted exploitation of the area and recovered one AK-47 rifle, a magazine containing two rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, and a motorcycle believed to belong to the fleeing terrorists.
The recovered items were secured by the troops while further search operations were carried out around the camp to ensure that no other threats remained in the vicinity.
The sources added that when troops advanced to Zangon Danmaka, no contact was made with terrorists as the suspects were believed to have fled the area ahead of the troop arrival.
However, troops maintained dominance in the general area while conducting further patrols and surveillance operations aimed at preventing the terrorists from regrouping.
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of 159 Battalion in collaboration with members of the Civilian Joint Task Force have arrested a suspected spy linked to terrorists operating in the North-East in Kanamma Yobe state.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspect, identified as Malam Fantami, a native of Dikwa was apprehended during a security operation by troops deployed in the area.
The sources said the suspect was intercepted following credible intelligence indicating that he might be working as an informant for terrorists affiliated with the ISWAP.
According to the sources, items recovered from the suspect at the time of his arrest included a mobile phone, a smart watch, prayer beads, a motorcycle key, and a cash sum of ₦7,000.
Preliminary examination of the suspect’s mobile phone by security personnel reportedly revealed several suspicious materials, including photographs of motorcycles, large sums of cash, AK-47 rifles and other items believed to be linked to terrorist activities.
“The discovery of these materials has raised serious suspicion about the suspect’s role as a possible logistics informant or intelligence asset for insurgent elements operating in the region,” the source said.
The suspect is currently in military custody, where he is undergoing further interrogation to determine the extent of his involvement with terrorist networks and to identify possible collaborators.
The military high command said the arrest forms part of ongoing counter-terrorism efforts by troops in the North-East aimed at dismantling the intelligence and logistics networks that support insurgent operations.
Kanama, located in Yunusari Local Government Area of Yobe State near the border with Niger Republic, has remained an important corridor frequently exploited by insurgent groups for movement and supply activities.
Troops arrest suspected ISWAP spy in Kanama, Yobe
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation HADIN KAI successfully repelled an attack by terrorists suspected to be members of ISWAP in Bita area of Borno state following a fierce overnight encounter.
Security sources said the attack began at about 1:09 a.m. on Saturday, when the insurgents launched a coordinated assault on troops of the 26 Task Force Brigade deployed in the Bita axis.
According to the sources, the terrorists attempted to overwhelm the troops’ position but were met with stiff resistance from the soldiers who engaged them in a sustained gun battle.
“In a decisive and coordinated operation, gallant troops of Operation Hadin Kai launched a simultaneous land and air assault on terrorist positions in Bita in the early hours of today,” the source said.
The coordinated response involved ground troops engaging the insurgents while aerial support conducted precision strikes and surveillance over the battlefield, forcing the attackers to retreat.
The intense engagement compelled the terrorists to withdraw towards their enclaves after suffering heavy pressure from the combined land and air assault.
Following the withdrawal of the insurgents, troops immediately commenced exploitation operations to pursue fleeing elements of the terrorist group and prevent them from regrouping.
Troops repel ISWAP attack in Bita, Borno
Troops repel attack on Forward Operating Base Azir in Damboa LGA, push back ISWAP terrorists
Troops arrest suspected kidnapper, recover AK-47 in Damaturu
Zamfara: Troops neutralise terrorist, recover arms in Shinkafi LGA
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