Military
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
By: Our Reporter
The Acting Chief of Army Staff (Ag COAS) Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede has promised to prioritise the welfare of troops of the Nigerian Army(NA) as well as the protection of Nigeria and Nigerians. The Ag COAS made these remarks on Wednesday 20 November 2024, during the official handing over of the Infantry Corps to his successor Major General Abdulkalifa Ibrahim in a regimented ceremony at the Headquarters Infantry Corps Jaji, Kaduna State. You will recall that until his appointment as the Ag COAS on 30 October 2024 by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, he was the 56th Commander Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army.
Speaking further during the handing over ceremony, Gen Oluyede described his successor as a competent senior Infantry officer and a perfect gentleman whom he he believes will sustain the trajectory of moving the Corps forward. He charged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to give him all the needed cooperation and support to succeed. The Ag COAS expressed gratitude to all officers and soldiers of the NA for their massive turnout and support during the internment of the late COAS Lt Gen Taoreed Lagbaja and prayed God to grant him eternal rest and continue to give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
While addressing troops of the Infantry Corps at the Major Bulama Parade Ground, the Ag COAS charged all officers and soldiers of the NA to put the unfortunate incident behind them, get back to work and deal ruthlessly with all criminal elements perpetrating insecurity in the country. He reassured them that their welfare would be prioritised. ” I am aware of your challenges and will tackle them head-on. Rest assured that anything that is yours will be given to you, ” he affirmed.
In his remarks, the new Commander Infantry Corps Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim said he was delighted to take over command of the Infantry Corps from the Ag COAS, who until a few weeks ago was the Commander Infantry Corps. He appreciated the Ag COAS for moving the Infantry Corps forward through the implementation of laudable initiatives and execution of several infrastructural development projects. He lauded him for his many years of dedicated service to the Infantry Corps, the Nigerian Army, and the nation at large.
Maj Gen Ibrahim pledged to lead the Infantry Corps with integrity, courage, honour, and utmost dedication, embracing best practices in all he will do. “To my brave and dedicated fellow infantry men, both officers and soldiers, I recognise the sacrifices, resilience, and valour that define our infantry tradition. Your selflessness, teamwork, and unwavering loyalty inspire all of us. I urge you all to continue to embrace the Army’s core values of loyalty, integrity, discipline, selfless service, respect for others, and courage in the discharge of your responsibilities, ” he emphasized.
He further urged all officers and soldiers of the Corps to remain diligent, hardworking, and proactive so as to collectively confront security challenges in troubled regions, uphold the Infantry values, and protect the nation with pride. He added that he is open to ideas that would bring the Corps together and make it more cohesive and efficient.
Maj Gen Abdulkalifa Ibrahim is a member of the 39th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy and hails from Damboa Local Government Area of Borno State. In the course of his illustrious career in the NA, he served as acting Garrison Commander in 1 Division, Commander 14 Brigade, General Officer Commanding 7 Division and also commanded the Multi National Joint Task Force Ndjamena, Chad among others. He has attended all courses commensurate to his rank, including the National Defence College Course 23.
He had served previously in Jaji at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry as member Training Team and later as Chief Instructor. He participated in several operations both within and outside the shores of the country, such as Operation Hadin Kai and Operations under the MNJTF. In 2023, the Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria awarded him the National honour of the Officer of the Order of the Republic (OFR). Similarly, the Chadian Government awarded him the national honor of ‘National Order of Chad’ (NOOC) for his contributions to peace and security in the Lake Chad Basin.
The Acting COAS later inspected ongoing projects in Jaji military Cantonment and paid a visit to the Command Engineering Depot at Rigachukun, Kaduna.
YOUR WELFARE, PROTECTION OF NIGERIA AND NIGERIANS MY TOPMOST PRIORITY” – ACTING COAS LT GEN OLUYEDE
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.
Army committee inspects sites for new 237 Tank Battalion in Bauchi
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