By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has ordered troops of the Nigerian Army’s 2 Division to intensify offensive operations aimed at decisively eliminating bandits, kidnappers and other criminal elements within their area of responsibility.

The directive was given on Monday, December 22, 2025, during the COAS’s maiden operational visit to the 2 Division at Odugbo Barracks, Ibadan, where he addressed officers and soldiers.

Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the troops for their resilience, professionalism and operational effectiveness in tackling insecurity across the division’s area, noting that he had been fully briefed on their activities and recent successes.

“I have been thoroughly briefed on your operations and the remarkable successes you have recorded,” he said. “I commend your efforts and urge you to sustain the momentum. Go after the kidnappers and other miscreants wherever they are, whether in the bushes, forests or their hideouts, and ensure these criminal activities are reduced to the barest minimum.”

The Army Chief reaffirmed his commitment to improving troop welfare, announcing that approvals had been granted for the renovation of existing accommodation and the construction of new residential facilities within the barracks.

He stressed that high morale remains critical to operational success and described troop welfare as a core priority of his command philosophy.

He also urged personnel to properly maintain existing accommodation and facilities to promote a conducive living and operational environment as the Army sustains its campaign against criminality.

The visit underscores the Nigerian Army’s resolve to strengthen ongoing operations and enhance the capacity of frontline troops to address security challenges within the 2 Division’s area of responsibility.

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday charged 3,391 newly inducted soldiers of the Nigerian Army to uphold the highest standards of discipline, professionalism, courage and patriotism as they begin their military careers.

The charge was delivered at the Passing Out Parade of the 89 Regular Recruits Intake, the first batch of soldiers to graduate from the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, since its establishment.

Lieutenant General Shaibu described the ceremony as a historic milestone, noting that the recruits were the pioneer set and therefore bore a special responsibility to protect the reputation of the institution.

He urged the new soldiers to wear their status with pride and conduct themselves as worthy ambassadors of the Osogbo depot throughout their service.

According to the Army Chief, the recruits are joining the Nigerian Army at a critical period marked by evolving and complex security challenges across the country.

The COAS encouraged them to rely on the rigorous training they had undergone and to confront adversity with confidence and hope for success rather than fear of failure.

He reminded the soldiers that their induction carried immense responsibility, particularly in defending Nigeria’s territorial integrity and contributing to national security.

Reaffirming the Army’s commitment to troop welfare under his “Soldier First” Command Mantra, Lieutenant General Shaibu assured the recruits of sustained moral, physical and material support, while stressing that the nation would also demand excellence, sacrifice and dedication from them.

He commended the Commandant, officers, instructors and staff of the Depot Nigerian Army, Osogbo, for their role in moulding the recruits into disciplined and combat-ready soldiers.

The COAS also announced that the newly approved Depot Nigerian Army, Abakaliki, would soon commence training activities to further boost manpower development and operational readiness in line with presidential directives.

In his remarks, Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, praised the Nigerian Army for its commitment to national security and ongoing efforts to combat banditry and kidnapping, particularly along state borders.

He urged the newly inducted soldiers to remain loyal to the Army’s core values and to serve as steadfast guardians of peace and stability. The parade concluded with the formal induction of the 3,391 recruits into the Nigerian Army, officially marking the start of their service to the nation

By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned a 60-unit Affordable Home Ownership Option for All Soldiers (AHOOAS) Housing Estate and a Post Service Housing Development Limited (PHDL) Shopping Complex at Akopo, Ibadan, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s commitment to the welfare of its personnel.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the project as a clear reflection of the Army’s Soldier First philosophy, stressing that decent and affordable housing is critical to boosting troop morale, enhancing operational effectiveness and ensuring post-service stability for soldiers.

He said the AHOOAS scheme was designed to guarantee that soldiers retire with dignity through secure home ownership in locations of their choice.

The COAS recalled that the pilot phase of the project at Idu, Abuja, delivered over 400 housing units, all currently occupied by serving and retired soldiers and their families.

According to him, the success of the Abuja pilot informed the expansion of the scheme to Ibadan, Benin, Jos, Akwa Ibom and other locations nationwide, adding that plans are underway to fast-track similar housing opportunities for Army Warrant Officers.

Lieutenant General Shaibu commended the Oyo State Government for its continued support to military formations in the state and appreciated traditional institutions for fostering peace and cooperation.

He also praised the management of PHDL for its professionalism and acknowledged Family Homes Funds Limited for partnering with the Nigerian Army to construct 50 housing units for widows of fallen soldiers.

The COAS urged other state governments to support future phases of the scheme through land allocation, noting that affordable housing remains a key pillar of the Nigerian Army’s transformation agenda in line with the vision of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces.

In his remarks, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of PHDL, Major General Isiah Alison, said the Ibadan project consists of 30 two-bedroom houses for Non-Commissioned Officers and 30 three-bedroom houses for Senior Non-Commissioned Officers.

He disclosed that five per cent of the housing units were allocated free of charge to soldiers who sustained disabilities in the line of duty, while 70 per cent were reserved for soldiers at highly subsidised rates.

Major General Alison explained that houses built at costs of up to ₦30 million were sold to soldiers for as low as ₦7.5 million, describing the scheme as a welfare-driven initiative rather than a commercial venture.

He added that similar housing projects and service shopping complexes are ongoing in other locations to support small businesses and stimulate economic activities among soldiers’ families.