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NIGERIAN ARMY CELEBRATES EXCELLENCE AT TRADOC MERIT AWARD 2024

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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

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

By: Zagazola Makama

Recent reports claiming that former Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai (rtd), narrowly escaped death in an alleged Boko Haram ambush in Borno State are categorically false and misleading.

Zagazola Makama can confirm that there was never any attack on the retired general, contrary to statements made by Senator Ali Ndume and recklessly amplified by several media outlets without a shred of verification.

What actually happened was a coordinated three-pronged attack by ISWAP terrorists on military facilities in Buratai town, Biu Local Government Area, on Friday. The assault targeted the Battalion Headquarters, Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, and Command Secondary School – not Lt.-Gen. Buratai or any convoy associated with him.

Let us be clear:
Lt.-Gen. Buratai was nowhere near the ambush, and at no point was his life in danger. This is not a matter of semantics, it’s a matter of truth versus dangerous misinformation.

Zagazola Makama, has previously reported how the ground troops, with critical support from Nigerian Air Force Super Tucano jets, repelled the attackers decisively.

During the encounter, two ISWAP gun trucks were destroyed, while a third was recovered during follow-up operations. Several terrorists were killed, including over 20 in airstrikes during their retreat through Mangari.

So how did this snowball into a national headline falsely claiming a “near-death” experience for the former army chief?
Because some politicians spoke irresponsibly, and certain media platforms ran with the story without basic verification, an unforgivable dereliction of journalistic duty, especially in a region as sensitive as the North East.

The media owes the public and the Armed Forces of Nigeria the duty of responsible reporting, not alarmist fiction wrapped in sensational headlines. The security situation in Buratai is under control, and troops continue to dominate the area to prevent any further attacks.

Let this stand as a final and factual rebuttal:
There was NO attack on Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai. Period. Stop twisting the truth for cheap headlines.

Fact Check: No attack on former COAS Buratai – what really happened in Buratai, Borno

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

By: Zagazola Makama

As part of ongoing efforts to sustain pressure on terrorist elements and deny them freedom of action, the Air Component of Operation Hadin Kai (OPHK) has conducted another successful air interdiction mission at a terrorist enclave in Bukar Meram, located in the southern axis of the Lake Chad region.

Zagazola Makama was reliably informed by sources that the mission, which was executed in the early hourz of Monday, June 9, at about 0545 hours, was carried out under the auspices of Operation KALACHEN WUTA II.

The sources said that the operation formed part of a broader strategy aimed at disrupting terrorist activities before, during, and after the Eid-el-Kabir Sallah period.

He said that intelligence-led surveillance revealed that the terrorists were regrouping at the Bukar Meram location with intent to launch coordinated attacks on Marte and Monguno general areas.

Prompted by this credible intelligence, the Air Component swiftly mobilised to engage the enclave. Airstrikes were conducted with precision, leading to the neutralisation of several terrorists.

The strikes also resulted in the destruction of critical terrorist logistics, including supply vehicles, makeshift shelters, and weapons storage points.

The decimation of the enclave not only inflicted significant losses on the terrorists but also disrupted their operational planning and movement.

The sources added that Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the mission confirmed that the planned attacks on Marte and Monguno were effectively thwarted.

Further intelligence gathering is ongoing to assess enemy reactions and possible movement patterns following the successful interdiction. Ground troops have also been placed on heightened alert to exploit the gains of the airstrike and maintain pressure on fleeing remnants.

Again, NAF Jets Decimate Terrorist Enclave in Bukar Meram in Lake Chad

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

By: Zagazola Makama

A 67-year-old French national, Mr. Pietier Gilles, has been found dead at a hotel in Gboko town in Benue state.

Zagazola Makama report that the deceased, believed to be a French tourist, was found dead on Saturday at Hotel Jovina, Gbokon, where he had lodged on June 6.

According to a police sources, on Sunday, the hotel manager, Mr. Emmanuel Terhide Laha, reported the incident to the “A” Division Police Station at about 5:45 p.m. on June 8.

Laha informed the police that the tourist fell ill on June 7 but declined to be taken to a hospital. Concerned about his deteriorating condition, the hotel management brought in a medical practitioner to examine him. He was, however, discovered to have died.

“On receipt of the information, the Divisional Police Officer led a patrol team to the hotel where photographs of the scene were taken. The body was evacuated to the General Hospital in Gboko for preservation and autopsy,” the police said.

Gilles reportedly arrived in Nigeria from Niger Republic on May 19, 2025, traveling on a sports bicycle as part of what is believed to be a long-distance tour.

Police sources said investigation will be conducted, and all relevant diplomatic channels are being engaged to handle the situation appropriately.

French tourist found dead in Gboko hotel

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