COAS

By Anwar Usman

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, says the Nigerian Army will bring to justice the perpetrators of the recent killings in Benue, Plateau and other parts of the country.

Oluyede made this statement on Saturday in Akure during a second quarter 2025 media chat organised by the Department of Civil-Military Affairs, Nigerian Army Headquarters.

The media chat was themed “Military – Media Collaboration: Panacea for Enhanced National Security and Development.”The COAS, who was represented by Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Div., Nigerian Army, Ibadan, said the military is ready to ending the spate of violence, particularly in North-Central Nigeria.Oluyede, who said that the president had given very clear orders, explained that they would remain engaged in Plateau, Benue, Kwara and quite a number of states that were experiencing insecurity.

“We are out, fully deployed and tackling the menace head-on.“In Benue particularly, you will see in the coming weeks, very elaborate security arrangements to ensure that all that is going on there completely stops.

He further stated that, “The Army cannot be everywhere at once. Nigeria is a vast country but we are not as large in number as many people believe.

“We rely heavily on the support and cooperation of the local population to provide timely and credible information.

“In some cases, unfortunately, the people are not very helpful in terms of the information they give out, which delays our reaction time. That must change if we are to win this fight together,” he said.

NAN reports that, the COAS called on media personnel to verify facts before publication, and help in building national security and development to combat misinformation and sensational reporting.

According to him, the social media space, especially, is flooded with misinformation, disinformation and outright lies.“So, we are appealing to the media practitioners to reach out to us before putting out unverified stories.

“We are satisfied with the support we’ve received from the media so far and we hope to deepen that synergy to ensure national security is not undermined by sensational reporting,” he said.

By Anwar Usman

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Olufemi Oluyede, has issued a warning to criminals to pack out of the country, reiterating that the Nigerian Army under his administration is coming with full force.

The COAS explained this while addressing the troops of the 1 Division Nigerian Army in Kaduna when he paid a maiden operational visit on Wednesday.

He said the adversaries should be ready to face a more serious and formidable Nigerian Army.

Oluyede disclosed that as of December 10, he signed his command philosophy, which was hinged on leadership, sound administration, and professionalism.

The COAS said that in the same command philosophy, he made it clear that soldiers would be his priority in every area.

He, therefore, said the welfare of soldiers would encourage them to give their best to the course of ridding the country of criminals.

He further added that, “I will try as much as possible to enhance their welfare in terms of accommodation, kitting, and training so that they can be better soldiers”.

Oluyede urged the soldiers at the front line to be resilient, disclosing that the Army would employ new strategies to make things better in the field by approaching operations from a different perspective.

NAN reports that the COAS inaugurated the remodeled Stallion Officers’ Mess at the division’s Headquarters.

He also inaugurated two blocks of a 30 family’s accommodation at the Kotoko Barracks, Ribadu Cantonment.

By Abdullahi Mukhtar Algasgaini

Chief of Army Staff Taoreed Lagbaja has reassured Nigerians that the military will soon surmount the prevailing security challenges. 

Mr. Lagbaja stated this during the COAS combined second and third Quarters Conference 2024 closing ceremony on Thursday in Uyo. 

“The reassurance is based on the security briefings we received from different army formations and commands across the country. I must say that the feedback from the various commanders is encouraging.  

“They show that the prevailing security challenges facing our dear nation, though daunting, are surmountable and that we are indeed on the right path to victory,” Mr Lagbaja said. 

He also expressed the loyalty and commitment of the Nigerian Army to the country’s constitution as well as the promotion of national interests and values. 

“I assure Nigerians of our resolve to continue to collaborate with its sister services and other security agencies to ensure security of lives and properties across the country.

“I encourage the law-abiding Nigerians to continue to support the government and the security forces in the efforts to make our country safe and prosperous,” added the army chief. 

He thanked participants for their sincerity and passion throughout the deliberation, just as he stated that the secretariat had adequately captured the decisions made during the deliberations.

By Uzair Adam Imam

The Nigerian Army reportedly launched a new operation in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State to tackle the emerging of insurance in the area.

The operation, named Hakorin Damisa, Leopard’s teeth, was launched by the Chief of Army Staff, Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, on Saturday.

Addressing the personnel Major Lagbaja said, “I am here to thank you for what you have been doing to bring peace and stability to Mangu and Plateau State.

“As your Chief of Army Staff, I have encapsulated my command philosophy which is to have a Nigerian Army that is well-trained, equipped and highly motivated towards achieving our constitutional responsibility in a joint environment.

“That means you must work with other services, you must work with local communities. You are the people’s Army, when they send a distress call, you must respond as quickly as possible and when you do that, you give them feedback on what you have done.

“That is the way you build confidence and trust. As your COAS, my philosophy will be driven by leadership, operational effectiveness and sound administration… You are not deployed here to play but to conduct an operation and you must do that and be guided by the rules of engagement.

“Whoever is carrying a military-grade weapon or any other weapon, you must recover those weapons from them. You must not take sides. The GOC has briefed me about the challenges faced in the field and the need for more combat enablers.

“What we have brought here is the tip of the iceberg, we will give you the best to work with we will take care of the communication, the motorcycles and all your administrative issues but please note that you must work effectively, we must see the results.

“This violence must be stamped out completely. I wish you the best,” Major Lagbaja said.

By Ibrahim Nasidi Saal

The Chief of Army Staff(COAS),  Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya, has commissioned two official residences for Regimental Sergeant Majors (RSMs) of  Headquarters 8 Division and Division Garrison, both in Giginya Barracks, Sokoto. 

The COAS commissioned the projects Thursday, 5 May 2022, as part of his operational tour of the 8 Division, Nigerian Army. Speaking during the event, Gen Yahaya maintained that RSMs constitute a vital link between officers and soldiers, stressing that they are the custodians of discipline and regimentation in the NA, without which command and control would have been cumbersome.  Therefore, he charged the RSMs to redouble their effort in entrenching discipline and regimentation among personnel. 

General Yahaya noted that bequeathing a befitting infrastructure to troops is a gesture that will boost their morale and encourage them to do their best while discharging their responsibilities. He reiterated his resolve to continue a deliberate policy, to improve the standard of infrastructure in all NA barracks.

The COAS also commissioned other projects, including remodelled 8 Division Garrison RSM’s office and road, Fire Fighting Truck and a Fuel Dump, among others. The projects were named after some Master Warrant Officers who had distinguished themselves in service.

While addressing officers of the Division, the Army Chief charged them to escalate operations against banditry and other criminalities in the North-West zone. 

Gen Yahaya urged them to be vigilant at all times to respond to distress calls effectively. He emphasized that troops must cooperate with other security agencies and stakeholders in their area of responsibility, noting that security is the collective business of all. 

The COAS later inspected ongoing projects in Giginya barracks, including the new Headquarters 8 Division Office  Complex and industrial waterworks.

It will be recalled that the COAS, on Saturday, 30 April 2022, commenced an operational tour of Joint Task Force North East Operation Hadin Kai, from where he proceeded to 8 Division and Operation Hadarin Daji in the North West.

Accompanying the COAS during the operational tour are the Chief of Operations (Army) Maj Gen Olufemi Akinjobi, the Coordinator Nigerian Army Special Projects Maj Gen Philip Eromosele, the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Maj Gen Uwem Bassey, Provost Marshal Army Maj Gen Robert Aiyenigba and the Chief of Military Intelligence, Maj Gen Ibrahim Salihu.