Military
RETIREMENT MARKS A NEW BEGINNING, NOT AN END, SAYS CAS AT NAFRC GRADUATION CEREMONY
RETIREMENT MARKS A NEW BEGINNING, NOT AN END, SAYS CAS AT NAFRC GRADUATION CEREMONY
By: Our Reporter
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar, has reassured retiring military personnel that leaving active service marks the beginning of a fulfilling new chapter in their lives, not an end. Speaking today, 12 December 2024, as the Special Guest of Honour at the Passing Out Ceremony of the Nigerian Armed Forces Resettlement Centre (NAFRC) Participants Course 02/2024 in Oshodi, Lagos, the CAS lauded the graduands for their unshakable commitment and discipline throughout their military careers.
In his address, Air Marshal Abubakar congratulated the Commandant, graduating participants, and the entire NAFRC community on achieving a significant milestone. He highlighted the importance of the six-month training programme, which equipped personnel transitioning to civilian life with skills pertinent to entrepreneurship, management, and national development.

Reflecting on a popular military saying, “Soja come, Soja go, barracks remain,” the CAS emphasised that while individuals leave the Service, their values and contributions continue to shape the Armed Forces and the nation. He urged the graduands to carry forward the discipline, courage, and commitment they exhibited in uniform, becoming role models and ambassadors of the military profession in their communities.
Air Marshal Abubakar noted that retirement should not be seen as a death sentence but rather as a new beginning. “Do not entertain fears about your future,” he advised. “With the training, discipline, and skills you have acquired, as well as God’s guidance, you will enjoy a prosperous future with good health and sound mind.”
Paying tribute to fallen heroes who sacrificed their lives for the nation, the CAS also commended the families of the retirees for their unwavering support and sacrifices. He assured the audience of the Armed Forces’ commitment to the welfare of its personnel, both serving and retired, and expressed gratitude to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his dedication to capacity development within the military.

Earlier in his welcome address, the Commandant of NAFRC, Air Vice Marshal Bashir Mamman, thanked the special the Special Guest of Honour for honoring the invitation and gracing the occasion. He also extended a warm welcome to all distinguished personalities, commandants, commanders, special guests, and well-wishers in attendance. “Your presence here today is a clear manifestation of how dearly you hold this great institution,” he remarked, acknowledging support and commitment to the success of NAFRC and its graduating participants.

The event also featured an exhibition of various products and services created by the graduating class, as well as the commissioning of a 54-unit ensuite hostel block donated by the NAF to NAFRC. Dignitaries in attendance included the Presidents of the Defence and Police Officers Wives Association (DEPOWA) and the NAF Officers Wives Association (NAFOWA), amongst many other distinguished personalities.
RETIREMENT MARKS A NEW BEGINNING, NOT AN END, SAYS CAS AT NAFRC GRADUATION CEREMONY
Military
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Military in Operation HADIN KAI has recorded another significant success against terrorist elements in Borno State, neutralising scores of insurgents and destroying a gun truck during a precision air interdiction mission.
Military sources disclosed that the operation was carried out on June 4 following credible intelligence and aerial surveillance over the Madamari general area in Magumeri Local Government Area of Borno State.
According to the sources, an Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) platform, detected a group of about 15 terrorists who had dismounted from a gun truck and assembled under a tree within the target area.
Upon positive identification and confirmation of hostile activity, the platform designated the target and guided a strike aircraft onto the location.
“The strike aircraft executed a precise engagement on the terrorist gathering, resulting in the neutralisation of all the terrorists at the location,” the source said.
In a follow-up strike, the ISR platform tracked and designated the terrorists’ gun truck, which was subsequently destroyed by precision munitions. Four additional terrorists were neutralised in the process.
Battle Damage Assessment (BDA) conducted after the operation revealed that surviving terrorists in the vicinity were seen fleeing in different directions in an attempt to evade further air strikes, indicating the effectiveness of the engagement.
The sources said that the successful operation is part of sustained air offensives aimed at degrading terrorist capabilities, disrupting their freedom of movement and denying them safe havens across the North-East theatre.
Military high command at Operation HADIN KAI reiterated their commitment to maintaining relentless pressure on terrorist elements and their logistics networks, in its ongoing clearance operations across the region.
Military Air Interdiction Neutralizes Scores, Decimates Terrorist Gathering and Destroy Gun Truck in Borno
Military
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
By: Zagazola Makama
The Force Commander, Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS), Maj.-Gen. K.M. Gara, on Friday visited the boundary area between Nasarawa and Kaduna States to assess the security situation and strengthen operational coordination along the Akwanga–Kaduna highway corridor.
Security sources said the visit, which took place at about 12:42 p.m. on June 5, also included the Commander of the Garrison, Brig.-Gen. D.C. Nwakonobi, and the Nasarawa State Police Area Commander, DCP S. Alli.

According to the sources, the team inspected operational deployments and received briefings on the security situation and combat readiness of troops from the Sub-Sector 71 Commander under Operation Safe Haven.
The sources added that the visit was aimed at assessing the highway axis between Akwanga and the boundary between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, with a view to strengthening measures against persistent kidnapping incidents along the route.
They noted that the exercise also sought to enhance synergy between Operation Safe Haven and Operation Whirl Stroke in addressing insecurity in the general area.
“The visit was part of ongoing efforts to curb kidnapping along major highways and improve inter-agency coordination,” the sources said.
The sources further confirmed that the visit was conducted peacefully without any security incident.

They added that routine patrols were ongoing across the Joint Operations Area to protect schools, churches and other critical national infrastructure.
Troops’ morale and operational efficiency, the sources said, remained satisfactory across the theatre.
Force Commander OPWS Visits Boundary Area Between Nasarawa and Kaduna States, Reviews Security Measures
Military
Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo
Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo
By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army on Tuesday commenced the 2026 Combat Support Arms Training Week (COSAT) in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, with a call for enhanced adaptability, resilience and indigenous innovation to strengthen operational effectiveness.
The event, hosted by the Headquarters Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps (NAIC), was held at the Ibom Hall in Uyo Local Government Area and brought together senior military officers, government officials and other stakeholders.
The theme of the training week is: “Strengthening Combat Support Arms Adaptability and Resilience Through Indigenous Innovation for Integrated Operational Support Within a Joint and Multi-agency Framework.”
Speaking at the opening ceremony, participants underscored the importance of leveraging local innovation and inter-agency collaboration to address evolving security challenges and enhance operational support capabilities.
The Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, who was represented by the State Commissioner for Trade and Investment, Capt. Iniobong Ekon (Rtd), attended the event alongside top military officials and invited guests.
Also present were the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. W. Shaibu, represented by Maj.-Gen. A.A. Adekeye; the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Maj.-Gen. E.E. Emekah; and the Chief Host and Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Intelligence Corps, Maj.-Gen. R.E. Hedima.
Other attendees included corps commanders, senior serving and retired military officers, the Commander 2 Brigade/Sector 4 Operation Delta Safe, as well as representatives of various security agencies and organisations.
Activities conducted during the opening ceremony included professional lectures, static displays by combat support corps and the presentation of souvenirs.
The training week is expected to provide a platform for knowledge sharing, professional development and the exchange of ideas aimed at enhancing the Nigerian Army’s capacity to provide effective combat support within joint and multi-agency operations.
The event was conducted without any security or logistical incidents.
Army Opens Combat Support Arms Training Week 2026 in Uyo
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