How Nigerian Army Honoured Gallant Officers, Soldiers

How Nigerian Army Honoured Gallant Officers, Soldiers 

BY Ben Adam Shemang

“Equipment, no matter how sophisticated they are, do not fight any war, personnel fight the war, using the equipment”. Those were words of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa at the climax of the Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL) 2023 which took place round the federation with Ibadan playing host to the grand finale. As expected, the Who-Is-Who in the Nigerian military was there, especially past service chiefs. And in no special order, General Alwali Kazir, a former Chief of Army Staff was there, others were General Alexadra Ogomudia, General Martin Lutter- Agwai, General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, General Faruk Yahaya, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, General Lucky Irabor, General Lamidi Adeosun, and in attendance were the current service chiefs.

The Nigerian Army took time to roll out its tanks and other sophisticated combat equipment manned by professional personnel to a cheering spectator to see what its army has in stock for the citizenry as the Nigerian Army also celebrated 160 years of its existence.

Again, the Chief of Defence Staff, General Musa emphasized the need for the Nigerian Army to take proper care of the soldiers so as to get the best from them. He directed Commanders to always give soldiers under them their due rights, including pass or permission whenever any soldier is due for such rights. This is apart from rotating personnel and the practice should be, mobilize, training, deploy for a specific period, post the soldiers out of the trenches, he sees his family, goes on course and training, posted to another place after further training for different optimal operations.

Rotating military personnel like this and equipping them with the latest arms and ammunition will always bring success.
The event witnessed 7 officers and 5 men being bestowed with the Chief of Army Staff Honours and Awards having distinguished themselves in the last one year. Why should these few be singled out among many other thousands? A close look at what they did are sound credentials. Let’s meet them and what each did.

Brigadier General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro whose brief citation says “is of the Infantry Corps and currently the Commander 13 Brigade Nigerian Army Calabar. He is
a very proactive senior officer who has conducted several operations to
curb the occasional flow of the activities of the Ambazonian rebels from the Republic of Cameroon, which hitherto had threatened the territorial
integrity of Nigeria.

He equally prevented the incursion of Indigenous People of Biafra secessionist group into his Area of Responsibility. His
dynamic and bold actions led to the discovery and destruction of
Indigenous People of Biafra training Camp in Cross River State.

He also conducted operations that led to the interception of large cache of
explosive materials and ammunition in Amana in Northern Cross Rivers
During the conduct of the 2023 General Elections, General Okoro accurately predicted the dynamics of the political landscape of the state in the lead up to the elections, of having a high propensity and potential for political violence, and consequently took necessary measures to
prevent the breakdown of law and order in the state. He planned and conducted many precursor operations that led to arrest of many political thugs and recovery of dangerous weapons and ammunition that were to be used to disrupt the conduct of the Year 2023 General elections in his Area of Responsibility.
(2) BRIG GEN SAMAILA MOHAMMED UBA was taken on strength as Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade on 28 November 2020. On assumption of Command, he displayed exemplary courage and leadership character trait which greatly reignited the troops’ confidence and combat efficiency.

He ensured he personally led all clearance
operations and reinforcements particularly along the Main Supply Routes BAGA – CROSS KAUWA – MONGUNO which were hitherto prone to terrorists ambushes and attacks.

Brigadier General Uba coordinated Sector 3 clearance operations to Gudumbali, Dabam Masara and Alagarrno among others, where he successfully cleared all areas of terrorist elements. Notably, was the destruction of Headquarters of the Boko Haram Caliphate in Gudumbali in January 2022 which was barely 2 days after it was declared a Caliphate by the terrorist. This greatly deflated the Boko Haram propaganda machinery and portrayed it as an ineffectual and struggling band of criminals.

(3) Brigadier General BO Omopariola physically led all operations
conducted within his Area of Responsibility and recorded resounding successes. Notably, on 1 December 2022, he led a daring reinforcement to Wajiroko in Borno state when terrorist attacked the Forward Operating Base. In that encounter, despite the ambush laid for him and his men, that was preceded by an Improvised Explosive Device, he defeated the ambush, captured 2 gun trucks, cache of arms and ammunition and neutralized several members of the terrorist elements.

Also, on the 13 January 2023, he successfully defeated terrorist
attack on Azir Bridge and captured 1 x adversary Phantom Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicle, 1 x gun truck as well as cache of arms and ammunition. In a similar manner, on the 23 January 2023, he led a reinforcement along Main Supply Route DAMBOA – KOMALA – MAIDUGURI and defeated yet another terrorist ambush on troops, capturing another Mine Resistance Ambush Protected vehicle, 3 motorcycles, one QJC anti aircraft gun and 1 x AK 47 rifle among others.

(4) Lt Col IB Umar assumed command as the acting Commandant Forward Operating Base Magumeri on 28 January 2021.

During the period under review, he conducted several onslaughts
against terrorist elements in his Area of responsibility with impressive results. Notably, he led an operation in Magumeri resulting in the neutralization of 9 Boko Haram terrorists, capture of 10 x AK 47 rifles, one Beretta assault rifle, one QJC Anti Aircraft gun and 7 Dane guns.

Others are one Buffalo Gun Truck, one pick up van, 8 motorcycles, 147 rounds of 7.62mm special ammunition, 13 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, 2 bandoliers and 2 x 36 hand grenades among others.

(5) Lt Col II Indiorhwer as the Commanding Officer 202 Battalion on 17 March 2022. He is result-oriented, intelligent, dexterous, dogged and courageous thus serving as a source of inspiration and a rallying point to his men during all operational and administrative matters. His exemplary leadership attributes therefore stands him out among his peers.

Lt Col Indiorhwer conducted several operational exploits to clear several terrorists’ enclaves and strongholds within his area of responsibility including Sambisa Forest amongst others. These operations led to the destruction of terrorist enclaves, neutralization of several terrorists and the capture of some high-profile terrorist commanders. Others are the recovery of weapons and equipment alongside the rescue of many hostages held captive in these terrorist dens.

(6) Lt Col NP Ochasi was the Commanding
Officer 151 Task Force Battalion on 27 December 2022. His dedication to work as the Commanding led to many successes in the fight against terrorism within his Battalion Area of Responsibility.

The daily Improvised Explosive Device incidents earlier associated with his
Area of Responsibility has reduced to the barest minimum.

The Senior Officer advanced with his Brigade Commander on all
the operational exploits to clear several terrorists’ enclaves and strongholds within the Brigade Area of Responsibility. His unit was equally part of the Brigade’s operation in Sambisa Forest from 12-13 May 2023 which led to the discovery of the terrorists underground armoury and recovery of several arms, ammunition and equipment.

(7) MAJ CU OKEREKE The climax of the small arms proficiency test in the Nigerian Army is the Nigerian Army Small Arms Championship which is a biennial
competition among Nigerian Army formations.

Major CU Okereke of 43 Engineer Brigade exhibited an outstanding performance during Nigerian Army Small Arms
Championship 2022. The Senior Officer won the following laurels;
Overall Best Shot Nigerian Army, Best Shot for Male Officers Category and Best Shot in AK 47 Rifle. It is therefore worthy to
acknowledge his blend of professional skills in marksmanship, diligence
and hard work. It is in recognition of this that Major CU Okereke is awarded the Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award.

NEXT IS THE SOLDIERS CATEGORY.
For the soldiers category, the First on the list is:
SSGT AYUBA YUSUF who was enlisted into the Nigerian Army on 3 August 1998 and presently serving at 192 Battalion Nigerian Army Owode, Ogun State.

The senior non-commissioned officer has over the years exhibited extra ordinary integrity and good leadership in the
discharge of his assigned task. Notably was when he led a stop and
search operation at BALOGUN IGBOGILA EXPRESS WAY which led
to the arrest of 3 x 5 ton trucks loaded with 295,972 rounds of 12 gauge live cartridge ammunition on 30 May 2018.

Also, on 25 August 2022 while on duty at Ilaro check point, he arrested 2 suspected illicit drug smugglers with 792 parcels of
marijuana. It is worthy to note that the smugglers offered him the sum of
Two Million Naira (N2,000,000) only to allow safe passage of the illicit
substance which he rejected. This was a show of completedemonstration of integrity and professionalism. Equally, on 18 March 2023, Ssgt Ayuba Yususf arrested armed robbers with 2 x locally made pistols at IBOGUN – ILLARO Axis while on Operation SAFE CONDUCT duties.
Sgt Clement Morondo was enlisted into the Nigerian Army as a member of 36 Regular Recruit Intake on 19 July 1993 and later posted to 7 Gds Bn on 31 August 2016. On 21 September 2022, Sgt Clement was deployed on guard duty at the Office of the National Security Adviser as part of the unit’s operational responsibilities.

During the period, the senior non commissioned officer displayed a high degree of alertness while on sentry at about 0300 hours when he sighted some
unknown persons digging and loading 5G Armoured Cables into a vehicle. This prompted the soldier to challenge the suspects as they attempted to run away with the vehicle. Consequently, he fired at the vehicle killing one of the thieves.

The stolen armoured cables and other items were recovered and subsequently handed over to the Nigeria Police for further action.

Sgt Gibson Ezukanma is a member of 44 Regular Recruit Intake. He is presently serving at 81 Division Garrison and deployed to the Intelligence section. He is a hardworking and disciplined soldier who has prevented the activities of criminals in 81 Division Area of responsibility.
Notably, In the early hours of 23 March 2023, the senior non-nommissioned officer encountered a robbery incident at Eko Bridge on his way to the office. In that episode, some commuters were disposed of their belongings by Lagos petty robbers. On arrival at the scene, the senior non commissioned officer confirmed the escape route used by the robbers and went after them with his motorcycle. He thereafter sighted the robbers under the Ijora/Iganmu bridge while trying to share their loot and accosted them. They abandoned the stolen items and ran away.

Thus, the items were recovered intact. Sgt Gibson subsequently returned to the robbery scene with the recovered items and handed them over to the victims.

4) Lcpl Julius Ogunmakinwa was taken on strength in 156 Task Force Battalion Mainok on 30 December 2021 and subsequently deployed as the driver to a mine resistance ambush protected vehicle.

On 6 June 2022, while on duty with his assigned vehicle, Ogunmakinwa exhibited his brave driving skills in a hot pursuit of
terrorists who attacked commuters at GONI – MASARA village along main supply route Damaturu – Maiduguri. Due to his ingenuity, contact was made which led to the capture of 3 x Gun Trucks, 3 x Anti Air craft Guns, 3 x AK 47 Rifles, 1 x PKT Machine Gun , 3 x Extra Barrels of Anti-Aircraft Guns, 2 x AK 47 Magazines, 438 rounds of 7.62 mm special rounds, 291 rounds of 12.7mm ammunition, and various types of controlled substances.

And finally on the list is LCPL SULEIMAN MUSA. On 22 December 2022, two suspected gun-runners were arrested by troops of 63 Bde in conjunction with personnel of the Department of State Services Delta State Command. The arrest was premised on a tip off by Lcpl Suleiman Musa when he was approached on 20 December 2022 by one of the suspects to procure AK – 47 rifles from him. Lcpl Suleiman exhibited a high sense of integrity by rejecting One Million
and Thirty Thousand Naira (N1,030,000.00) only given to him for exchange with 2 x AK – 47 rifles.
In line with the welfare scheme of the Nigerian Army, some warrant officers were selected and presented with Toyota Hilux who have served for 32 years without blame.

They are Army Warrant Officer: Ajayi Adebayo, Dauda Waheed, Arogundade Tajudeen, Nnadi Victor, Mohammed Haruna, Mathew Ogbu.

Addressing troops on the occasion, the Chief of Army Staff, Maj Gen Taoreed Lagbaja, emphasized inter agency cooperation, and pointed out that the Nigerian Army had come a long way and living up to assigned roles given to it especially contributing to global and internal security. “It is through our concerted efforts that the activities of insurgents, terrorists, bandits and other forms of criminalities that threaten the very corporate existence of Nigeria have been greatly reduced”

The Special Guest of Honour, President Ahmed Bola Tinubu who was represented by the Vice President, Alhaji kashim Shetima, presented the keys of the vehicles to the beneficiary Army Warrant Officers. While sympathizing with families of fallen soldiers who lost their lives in line of duty, he warned the members of the armed forces to obey all rules of engage in areas of human rights even as he promised better welfare for the military: “As for the members of the Nigerian Army and indeed all members of other armed forces, I assure you of unfettered commitment to your welfare. I am aware of the issue of inadequate equipment and funding”, he said.

Ben Adam Shemang is a media practitioner