Defence & Security

Nigerian Army Fetes 62 Retired Generals

Published

2 years ago

December 18, 2022

Admin

Nigerian Army Fetes 62 Retired Generals

The Nigerian Army on Saturday, treated 62 retired and retiring generals to a regimental dinner and awards to honour them for their 35 years of meritorious service to the nation.

The senior officers comprising 24 major generals and 38 brigadier generals are those who retired or due for retirement within 2022.

The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. lucky Irabor, said the event signified the beginning of a process for the retired and retiring senior officers who would transit into another phase of life that would be slightly differently from what they were used to.

Irabor said the officers deserved to be appreciated and honoured by the nation, adding that the event was a representation of national honors to them.

He said that a lot of changes had occurred in the context of welfare and administration in the armed forces, urging them to ensure that they make themselves happy in retirement

“So let me on that note, wish everyone of you the very best in retirement.

“We want to hear good testimonies about you and we will also appreciate that you do not forget the constituency that made you this past three and half decades.

“Like I said to you guys there is no engagement that would take your time and energy for as long as you live that will be demanding of you the way the armed forces have demanded of you, and of course the army in particular.

“And so it behooves on you to be the ambassadors of the armed forces, to change the orientation of many who do not know us.

“Remain our testifiers as to the uniqueness of the value that we bring to bear within the defence and security architecture of this nation.

“I would like to urge you to please keep up that spirit so that together we will continue to add value to our work,” he said.

Irabor commended the Army Headquarters for honouring its retired personnel for their services to the nation and the armed forces in particular.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, said the regimental dinner was organised to acknowledge and appreciate the contributions and sacrifices of the senior officers to their fatherland in the past 35 years.

Yahaya said the officers had operated and traversed the gamut of the country and theatres of operations, as well as other countries where they had contributed to peace and security.

According to him, this is a celebration of life to appreciate and thank them, having served the noble profession of the arms and retiring in one piece after 35 years.

He urged them to be good ambassadors of the army and be ready to continue to be useful to the nation, adding that they were better positioned to help propagate and sell the army in good light.

He urged them to continue to deploy their expertise and competences in support of the service, adding that the army had opened avenues to engage retired officers willing to deliver their skills and competencies.

“As we speak, we have some of the retired officers at Army Resource Center, Nigerian Defence Academy, Nigerian Army School of Artillery, School of Infantry and across board.

“We are willing and ready to engage you because we know the quality of what was invested in you and what you can deliver and what you have delivered when you were serving,” he said.

Yahaya also appreciated the spouses of the retired officers for the support and sacrifices they made while their husbands were busy serving the nation.

He also advised them to continue make themselves useful by getting themselves engaged in profitable ventures in retirement.

The Chief of Administration (Army) Maj.-Gen. Ogbe Ali, said the event was first held in 2021 to appreciate retired and retiring generals, adding that similar events were being organised at formations level for colonels and below, as well as soldiers.

Ali said the 2022 ooccasion was a continuation of that innovation and the 2nd in the series to celebrate 62 generals of the Nigerian army that retired during the year.

According to him, the ceremony is equally unique as it ushers them into the end of the year and the Christmas season.

Nigerian Army Fetes 62 Retired Generals

Defence & Security

Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Vehicles, Ammunition in Fierce Clash

Published

2 months ago

September 1, 2024

Hauwa Adamu

Bandit Leader Bello Turji Seizes Nigerian Army Vehicles, Ammunition in Fierce Clash

Footage has surfaced online showing notorious bandit leader Bello Turji and his gang celebrating after capturing a Nigerian Army Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and a significant amount of ammunition. The incident was confirmed by counterinsurgency expert ZagaZola Makama, who provided details of the encounter.

According to Makama, the Nigerian Army had received intelligence about a high-level meeting of bandits within Bello Turji’s camp. In response, a team of soldiers, led by a young officer, was dispatched to the area to intercept the gathering. However, the operation quickly encountered challenges when one of the military vehicles became stuck in the marshy terrain, halting the troops’ progress.

Makama explained that the soldiers came under heavy fire from the bandits, triggering an intense gunfight that lasted several hours. Despite their efforts, heavy rainfall and poor weather conditions prevented air support from arriving in time to aid the soldiers.

In an attempt to retrieve the immobilized vehicle, the troops brought in a Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicle, but it too became stuck in the mud. With reinforcements on the way, the situation remained critical, and the soldiers eventually had to withdraw, leaving behind the vehicles. Fortunately, no casualties were reported among the troops.

Hours later, Turji and his gang returned to the scene, celebrating their victory by firing shots into the air and boasting of their success in capturing the military vehicles.

As of now, the Nigerian Army has yet to officially comment on the incident.

Defence & Security

Nigerian Soldier Mocks Cultists, Urges Men to Join Military

Published

2 months ago

August 18, 2024

Admin

Nigerian Soldier Mocks Cultists, Urges Men to Join Military

A Nigerian soldier, Abubakar Sadiq, has sparked conversations online after making a bold statement criticizing men who join cult groups, asserting that true strength lies in serving the nation through the military.

In a post shared on Facebook, Sadiq wrote, “Cultism is for small boys. Real men join the military,” challenging the masculinity and maturity of those involved in cultism.

His comment has garnered attention, with many social media users weighing in on the debate, some supporting his stance while others criticized his approach. Sadiq’s post underscores the ongoing efforts by military personnel to steer young men away from criminal activities and toward more disciplined, lawful careers.

Defence & Security

Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue

Published

2 months ago

August 18, 2024

Admin

Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue

Gov. Alia Demands Swift Rescue of 20 Kidnapped Medical Students in Benue

Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has called on security agencies to ramp up efforts in securing the immediate release of 20 medical students who were abducted within the state.

This appeal was made in a statement issued by Mr. Tersoo Kula, the Chief Press Secretary to the governor, and shared journalists on Saturday in Makurdi.

Governor Alia expressed strong condemnation of the abduction, which occurred on Thursday evening as the students were en route to Enugu State for the Federation of Catholic Medical and Dental Students (FECAMDS) Annual Convention. He emphasized that his administration would relentlessly pursue the elimination of criminal activities in Benue and warned the perpetrators to cease their operations or face the full force of the law.

The Benue Police Command confirmed that the kidnapped individuals include medical and dental students from the Universities of Jos and Maiduguri, along with a house officer, all of whom were traveling together when they were ambushed and kidnapped in Otukpo. The students were reportedly on their way to attend the FECAMDS convention when the unfortunate incident occurred.