Tag: Nigerian Army

The Nigerian Army has reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its personnel while cautioning officers and soldiers against substance abuse and other negative vices, as the Combat Service Support Corps comprising of Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering and the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management (NACOLM) marked the West African Social Activities (WASA) 2025 at AN Barracks, Sabo, Yaba, Lagos.

The event, which drew senior officers, soldiers, families and guests, featured colourful cultural performances by the Yoruba, Hausa and Igbo dance troupe, awards presentation to outstanding soldiers across various corps, an inter corps tug of war competition as well as donations to 20 widows, reinforcing the Army’s focus on inclusiveness and support for families of fallen personnel.

Speaking at the event, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu, noted that the year 2025 had been particularly demanding for the Nigerian Army, with troops, especially combat service support and logistics personnel, fully engaged in counter terrorism, counter insurgency and internal security operations across the country and beyond.

The Army Chief who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Maj Gen Adebayo Babalola, said the Army remained committed to the welfare and well being of its personnel and their families, stressing that while much had been entrusted to officers and soldiers, high standards of discipline, professionalism and loyalty were expected in return.

He urged personnel to avoid conduct contrary to military professionalism, particularly substance abuse, and encouraged them to sustain their commitment as the Army prepares for another demanding operational year.

According to him, the WASA tradition, which dates back to the era of the West African Frontier Force, provides a platform for officers and soldiers to unwind, celebrate achievements of the year and strengthen bonds with their families and host communities, while preparing mentally and socially for future responsibilities.

Read Also: Nigeria on ‘healing journey’ to $1trn economy by 2030 – Presidency

Earlier, the Acting Commander, Corps of Medical, Combat Service Support Corps, Brig Gen Innocent Enwuchola, described WASA as an enduring tradition of the Nigerian Army that reinforces discipline, esprit de corps and unity among personnel, their families and host communities.

Brig Gen Enwuchola said the WASA celebration provided a rare opportunity for officers and soldiers to unwind, socialise and reflect on the successes recorded during the year, while also rewarding deserving personnel for professionalism and dedication to duty.

He commended personnel of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Nigerian Army Ordnance Corps, Nigerian Army Corps of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, as well as the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management, for their critical roles in sustaining military operations across the country.

According to him, combat service support formations had continued to provide essential logistics, medical, technical and administrative support to operations in the North East, North West, North Central, South South, South East and South West, noting that these efforts had boosted troop confidence and contributed to the protection of lives and property.

He also highlighted the role of NACOLM in training and developing officers in military logistics, administration and management, saying the institution had enhanced leadership capacity, planning, resource allocation and decision making within the Nigerian Army.

The celebration ended with goodwill messages and renewed commitment to professionalism as the Nigerian Army prepares for the 2026 operational year.

The Nigerian Army has expressed readiness to assist agencies to address the challenges of refugees, migrants and internally displaced persons in the country. 

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, gave the assurance on Thursday when he received the Federal Commissioner, National Commission for Refugees, Migrants and Internally Displaced Persons (NCFRMI), Dr Tijani Aliyu Ahmed, in his office.

According to a statement by the Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, General Shaibu emphasised the nexus between security and displacement, noting that lasting solutions to refugee and internally displaced persons’ challenges are closely tied to improved security, stability and effective civil–military cooperation. 

“The COAS stressed that the Nigerian Army remains fully aligned with national efforts aimed at restoring peace and creating the enabling environment necessary for humanitarian and development interventions to thrive,” the statement said. 

The COAS stated that through its ongoing operations across the country, the Army continues to prioritise the protection of civilians and the ensuring a secure environment that enables the safe return, resettlement and reintegration of displaced persons. 

Read Also: Tax reforms have wiped out Nigeria’s middle class — UNILAG professor

He assured the Commission of the Army’s readiness to sustain the support for humanitarian initiatives targeted at restoring dignity, improving livelihoods and enhancing the overall wellbeing of affected populations.

The NCFRMI Federal Commission thanked the COAS for the Army’s longstanding support to the Commission, noting the critical role played by the Army during previous evacuation and repatriation exercises of Nigerians from Cameroon, which he said contributed significantly to the success of the operations.

He urged for sustained collaboration and support as the Commission prepares to undertake another similar mission. 

The Federal Commissioner emphasised that effective partnership with the military remains essential not only for operational success, but also for ensuring that humanitarian interventions translate into improved livelihoods, dignity and overall well-being of displaced persons. 

The Nigerian Army has dismissed claims by an online publication alleging that soldiers are threatening mutiny over salaries and allowances.

It described such a claim as “false, misleading and deliberately sensational”, designed to undermine public confidence and national security.

In a statement issued on Monday, January 19, by its spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, the Nigerian Army stated that at no time has there been any threat of mutiny within the Army.

According to the statement, mutiny is a grave offence under military law and alien to the ethos, discipline and professionalism of Nigerian Army personnel, “who remain loyal to the country’s Constitution and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.”

It said that, to demonstrate the mischievous nature of the report, the online publication relied solely on anonymous, unverifiable claims circulated through non-official channels.

“Such narratives do not represent the views, conduct or disposition of officers and soldiers of the Nigerian Army, who are trained to channel grievances through established military procedures rather than public platforms,” the statement said.

It stated that contrary to claims of neglect by the online publication, the Federal Government under the present administration has “consistently demonstrated commitment to the welfare and operational effectiveness of the Armed Forces”, particularly in the face of evolving security challenges.

According to the statement, to demonstrate that troops’ welfare is a top priority on his agenda, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, upon assuming office, initiated positive engagements with the appropriate authorities on troops’ welfare, which it noted were already yielding positive results.

It explained that promotion increments are only one component of military remuneration and should not be misrepresented as total earnings, adding that military pay comprises consolidated salaries, rank-based allowances, operational allowances, field and hardship allowances, and other entitlements, which vary by deployment, qualification, and responsibilities.

The statement emphasized that Issues relating to allowances are continuously reviewed within approved government frameworks.

It noted that the Nigerian Army, in collaboration with the Armed Forces of Nigeria and relevant government authorities, will continue to implement structured welfare reforms, including periodic salary reviews, enhanced operational allowances, improved accommodation, medical care, and insurance packages for troops and their families.

The military high command reaffirmed that the Nigerian Army remains a “cohesive, disciplined and professional force” that is fully focused on its constitutional mandate of defending Nigeria’s sovereignty and supporting internal security operations.

“Attempts to portray the institution as unstable or lawless are not only irresponsible but also detrimental to national security,” the Army said.

The Commander of the 17 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General M. I. Ibrahim, has described the Nigerian Army’s 2025 West African Social Activities (WASA) as a historic tradition that continues to reinforce military–civilian relations and cultural cohesion.

Speaking on Sunday at the opening ceremony held at the 17 Brigade, Natsinta Barracks, Katsina, Ibrahim noted that WASA remains an essential platform for fostering enduring interaction between the Army and host communities.

He explained that the annual event serves to bring soldiers and their families together to mark the end of the year and welcome a new one, while also strengthening social bonds within the service.

Read Also: Rivers CJ receives Assembly’s letters, pileof documents against Fubara

“WASA serves as an avenue for fostering good relationships between Army personnel and the host community,” he said, adding that the event further encourages socialization across the force.

The Katsina State Government pledged continued support for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating in the state.

The Commissioner for Youth and Sports Development, Honourable Sirajo Yazid, who represented Governor Dikko Umar Radda at the ceremony held at the Natsinta Cantonment Parade Ground, commended the troops for their discipline and professionalism.

Radda said the relative peace being experienced in the state is largely attributable to the efforts of the 17 Brigade and other security formations.

The event featured cultural performances by Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Yoruba, and other cultural troupes, as well as an inspection of dishes and the presentation of awards and souvenirs to outstanding officers and personnel.

The Nigerian Army has unveiled a newly constructed administrative block and library at Government Secondary School (GSS), Wase, Plateau State, as part of efforts to strengthen civil–military relations and support educational development.

The project, executed under the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation (CIMIC) initiative, was inaugurated on Saturday at the instance of the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander Sector 1, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, Major General Abubakar Sadiq Mohammed Wase.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, said the Nigerian Army remains committed to contributing meaningfully to national development beyond its core security mandate. He was represented by the GOC 3 Division, Nigerian Army, and Commander, Operation ENDURING PEACE, Major General Folusho Oyinlola.

The COAS noted that addressing Nigeria’s security and developmental challenges requires sustained collaboration between the military and the civil populace, stressing that education remains a critical pillar for national progress.

He urged students of the school to remain disciplined, focused and committed to academic excellence, describing them as future leaders whose success would shape the nation’s destiny.

Major General Wase said the project was driven by his passion for youth development and quality education. He described education as a powerful tool for nation-building and encouraged the students and school authorities to ensure proper utilisation of the facilities.

According to him, the intervention was also aimed at leaving a lasting impact on the community while reinforcing trust and cooperation between the Army and civilians.

The Principal of Government Secondary School, Wase, Malam Musa Ajiya in his vote of thanks, expressed deep appreciation to the Nigerian Army for its consistent support to education and national security through CIMIC projects.

He said the new facilities would significantly improve the school’s learning environment and academic performance, pledging that the school management would ensure proper maintenance of the buildings.

Highlights of the event included the commissioning, unveiling and inspection of the administrative block and library, presentation of teaching aids to four districts, cultural performances by students and presentation of souvenirs to distinguished guests.

The Nigerian Army has raised the alarm over social media accounts created and operated by unscrupulous individuals who falsely claim to represent or be associated with the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu.

Army’s spokesperson, Colonel Apollonia Anele, raised the alarm in a statement on Friday.

According to Anele, the Chief of Army Staff does not have any official social media presence on any platform.

Read Also: Kwankwaso seeks compensation as Kano Assembly endorses Yusuf’s defection plan

She advised the public to exercise “extreme caution and remain vigilant” against scammers who may attempt to exploit these fake accounts to defraud unsuspecting individuals, solicit funds, or spread misinformation in the name of the COAS or the Nigerian Army.

The Army’s spokesperson also urged the public not to engage, respond, or share information from such accounts.

“The Nigerian Army is taking all the necessary steps to apprehend the operators of these fake accounts with a view to bringing them to justice in accordance with the extant laws,” Anele said.