By David Torough, Abuja

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, has reiterated the Nigerian Army’s commitment to strengthening operational readiness, mobility and personnel welfare as the Army Women Command (NAWC), Giri, Abuja, operationalised four refurbished coaster buses and inaugurated its renovated Soldiers’ Club, known as the Nightingale Club.

Shaibu stated this on Monday at a ceremony held at the command, where he was represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Col.

The COAS described the refurbishment of the vehicles as a demonstration of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to enhancing operational readiness and the effectiveness of its troops.

He said serviceable and reliable vehicles remained critical to military operations, particularly for the timely movement of personnel, equipment and logistics.

According to him, the availability of operational vehicles would significantly enhance the command’s capacity to respond promptly and effectively whenever required.

“Mobility remains a critical component of military effectiveness, particularly in the timely movement of personnel, equipment and logistics,” he said.

Shaibu urged personnel entrusted with the vehicles to regard them as valuable government assets and ensure their proper maintenance, responsible handling and strict adherence to laid-down regulations.

He directed commanders at all levels to ensure that maintenance schedules were observed and that the vehicles were used strictly for authorised military purposes.

The COAS also highlighted the importance of personnel welfare, stressing that a military organisation could not be sustained by equipment alone, but also required the morale, welfare and cohesion of its personnel.

He said the renovated Nightingale Club would provide personnel and their families with a conducive environment for relaxation, recreation, social interaction and the strengthening of esprit de corps.

Shaibu urged personnel to maintain high standards of military conduct while using the facility and ensure that it remained a worthy representation of the professionalism and traditions of the Nigerian Army.

He commended the officers, soldiers, civilian staff, contractors and other stakeholders who contributed to the projects, noting that their efforts demonstrated what could be achieved through effective leadership, prudent resource management and collective commitment.

The COAS urged the command to sustain a culture of maintenance, accountability, discipline and responsible management of resources.

Earlier, the Commander, NAWC, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Adamu, said the projects were undertaken in line with the COAS’s Command Philosophy of ensuring operational readiness and putting soldiers’ welfare at the centre of command responsibilities.

Adamu recalled that the command had previously held a similar ceremony on June 25, 2026, during which 12 vehicles, comprising two coaster buses and 10 operational vehicles, were re-operationalised. A tree-planting exercise was also conducted as part of efforts to address environmental challenges affecting the command.

He explained that one of the command’s major responsibilities was to remain operationally ready to support the Nigerian Army whenever called upon.

Adamu cited the deployment of a company from the command to Plateau State on April 14, 2026, following security challenges in the state, as an example of the importance of operational mobility.

According to him, the Chief of Army Staff directed the deployment and the command was able to mobilise the troops promptly because it had the necessary operational mobility and other enablers in place.

He said the experience reinforced the need for all vehicles belonging to the command to remain serviceable and ready for deployment at short notice.

It was against this background, he said, that four coaster buses that had previously been in deplorable condition were refurbished and operationalised to improve the command’s capacity to transport personnel and respond to operational assignments.

The commander also explained that the rehabilitation of the Soldiers’ Club was undertaken as part of the Army’s Soldiers First concept.

He said the facility had previously been in a poor state, with inadequate lighting and deplorable sanitary conditions, making it unsuitable for soldiers to relax or receive guests.

According to him, the complete overhaul of the facility has now provided soldiers with a more conducive environment for relaxation, social interaction and the reception of guests.

Adamu stressed that the welfare of soldiers must remain a priority at every level of command.

He said the emphasis was no longer simply on officers, but on ensuring that soldiers were adequately cared for because their welfare and motivation were essential to effective military performance.

“The narrative is changing now. It is not about the officers; it is about the soldiers first,” he said.

He urged commanders to pay attention to the basic welfare needs of personnel, including where they sleep, eat, drink and live, stressing that motivated soldiers were better positioned to perform their assigned responsibilities effectively.

The commander assured the personnel that the welfare of soldiers remained a priority under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff and urged commanders at all levels to uphold the Soldiers First principle.

Highlights of the ceremony was the formal commissioning of the refurbished vehicles and the renovated Nightingale Club for use by the command, with the COAS calling on personnel to ensure that the facilities were properly maintained and utilised in accordance with extant regulations.

By David Torough, Abuja

Troops of Sector 2, Operation FANSAN YAMMA, have recorded a series of operational successes in Zamfara State, including the rescue of three civilians, recovery of suspected rustled livestock and retrieval of a stolen vehicle.

The troops responded to a distress call over an attack by armed bandits on travellers along the Dampo–Rumba Road in Bakura Local Government Area.

According to the operation’s statement, the troops engaged the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding bush and abandon three injured civilians.

The victims were given first aid by the troops and evacuated for medical treatment. Security patrols have continued along the road to maintain safe passage for commuters.

In a separate operation around the Magami axis, troops acting on intelligence intercepted five trucks suspected of transporting rustled livestock to Gusau.

A search of the trucks led to the recovery of 117 cows, two donkeys, one goat and five cow skins. The recovered livestock and items were handed over to the Chairman of the Zamfara State Committee on the Recovery of Rustled Animals in Gusau for identification and return to their rightful owners.

Meanwhile, troops in the Tsafe Local Government Area recovered a stolen Toyota Camry with registration number RBC 804CL following intelligence shared among joint tracking teams.

The driver reportedly ignored a stop signal and fled towards a nearby community.

Troops pursued the vehicle, prompting the suspects to abandon it and escape on foot.
The recovered vehicle has been secured for further administrative and legal processes, according to the statement.

The Kano State Police Command has arrested 10 suspected members of an inter-state motor vehicle theft syndicate and recovered 12 stolen vehicles linked to the group.

The Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Bakori, made this known while newsmen in Kano, on Wednesday.

Bakori said the arrests and recoveries were made by operatives of the Special Intervention Squad (SIS) following credible intelligence and coordinated operations across Kano and its neighbouring states.

He said five suspects were initially detained in Adamawa on Sept. 7, during which a white Mercedes Benz GLK 350 was recovered.

According to him, discreet investigation and intelligence-led follow-up resulted in the recovery of 10 additional stolen vehicles in different locations across Kano and neighbouring states.

He added that five other suspects were arrested on Sept. 12 at about 8:30 p.m. at Kwankwasiya City Quarters, Tarauni, Kano, while in possession of a stolen white Toyota Hilux.

The CP said the suspects confessed to stealing vehicles in Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe and other neighbouring states.

He said the suspects also disclosed that their modus operandi involved stealing vehicles, concealing them in different locations and moving them across state borders for sale.

Bakori said investigation was ongoing to apprehend other fleeing members of the syndicate and recover other stolen vehicles.

He said 11 of the 12 recovered vehicles were unregistered, making it difficult for the police to trace some of their owners.

The CP urged vehicle owners to ensure proper registration of their vehicles, warning that the command would not tolerate the use of unregistered vehicles or vehicles with covered or concealed number plates.

He said the operation was conducted in line with the Inspector-General of Police, I-G Olatunji Disu’s, ”Handshake Patrol” initiative aimed at dismantling inter-state criminal networks through intelligence sharing and inter-command collaboration.

Bakori urged owners of the recovered vehicles to contact the Investigating Police Officer on 07063407910, the Police Public Relations Officer’s office or the Officer-in-Charge of SIS at Court Road, Tarauni Area Command, with valid proof of ownership.

He appealed to members of the public to report suspicious movements of vehicles or persons to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency numbers.

The CP said the suspects would be charged to court after the conclusion of investigation. (NAN)