Defence Information

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NIGERIAN ARMY DONATES EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS COMMISSIONS COAS SPECIAL INTERVENTION PROJECTS IN ERUWA OYO STATE

The Nigerian Army has donated educational materials, commissioned the remodelled VIP and Physiotherapy sections, alongside a solar-powered boreholes at the General Hospital, Eruwa, Ibarapa East Local Government Area of Oyo State.

The projects, executed under the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Special Intervention Civil-Military Cooperation Projects, were facilitated by
General Officer Commanding 82 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Joint Task Force South East Operation UDO KA, Major General Oluremi Ayobami Fadairo. Delivering the welcome remarks at the ceremony, Major General OA Fadairo expressed his delight at giving back to his home community through the intervention. He emphasized that the Nigerian Army’s efforts in maintaining safety and security go beyond kinetic operations, saying it extend into community development initiatives that enhance public welfare. He noted that healthcare and access to potable water are fundamental needs, and the interventions would provide a dignified environment for rehabilitative care while ensuring reliable water supply for improved hygiene and sanitation.

Urging the beneficiary on adequate maintenance of the projects, Maj Gen Oluremi Fadairo said, “This project is not a favour, but a gesture of partnership. Its sustainability depends not only on those who provided it, but equally on those who benefit from it,” He urged the people of Eruwa to take ownership and ensure proper maintenance of the facilities. General Fadairo also appreciated the COAS for granting him the privilege to give back to his community.

The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General W Shaibu, in his remarks, commended Major General Ayobami Fadairo for his commitment to community development.

VIGILANCE AND SACRIFICE: COMMANDER GUARDS BRIGADE NIGERIAN ARMY CHARGED TROOPS AFTER EXERCISE SHINNING STAR

The Guards Brigade has concluded Exercise SHINNING STAR, a field training exercise to enhance tactical proficiency and combat readiness of soldiers of 90 Regular Recruits Intake.

The exercise commenced 14 September 2026 at General OA Azazi Parade Ground, Gwagwalada, and ended 18 September 2026 at 176 Guards Battalion FOB, Kwali. The closing ceremony was presided over by Commander Guards Brigade, Brig Gen AO Onasanya.

Brig Gen Onasanya said the exercise trained young soldiers in fighting and clearance patrols, raids, road blocks, ambushes, cordon and search operations, and emphasized inter-agency cooperation with Police, NSCDC and Vigilante Group of Nigeria.

During the exercise, troops with other agencies conducted patrols in communities and hinterlands, disrupting criminal activities and arresting persons involved in illegal mining with seizure of equipment.

At the closing, the Commander described the exercise as a demonstration of Brigade's commitment to training and operational readiness, and charged personnel to remain steadfast, disciplined and professional. He reminded the young soldiers that soldiering is a lifelong learning process.

He reiterated the Brigade motto "Vigilance and Sacrifice" and thanked the Chief of Army Staff for support, as well as participating security agencies.

The Commander formally declared Exercise SHINNING STAR closed in line with Army Headquarters Training Directives.

Mig-25PU is the two-seat operational conversion trainer variant of the Soviet high-speed supersonic interceptor and reconnaissance Mig-25.

The forward fuselage was redesigned to accommodate the second cockpit, slightly altering the aircraft's internal layout while retaining flight instrumentation necessary for conversion training.

Used extensively by the Soviet Air Defense Forces and export operators to safely transition pilots onto single-seat MiG-25 interceptor and reconnaissance variants before flying solo.

The President of the Transition, Head of State and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Army General Assimi GOÏTA, presided over, on this Tuesday, September 15, 2026, the inauguration ceremony of the General Staff of the Autonomous Battalion of Special Forces and of the Hardening Centers, at Sénou.

GAF BOSS PAYS CONDOLENCE VISIT TO THE GAFTS

The Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gambia Armed Forces (GAF), Lieutenant General Ousman Gomez, on Thursday 17 September 2026 paid a condolence visit to the Gambia Armed Forces Training School (GAFTS) in Bakau. The visit came in the wake of an incident involving Recruit Intake 40, following a Combat Fitness Test (CFT) conducted on Friday 11 September 2026.

In a somber and solemn moment the CDS expressed deep sympathy to the entire GAFTS and acknowledged the pain and difficulty caused by the loss, particularly for those who had trained alongside the deceased recruits and had come close to completing their training.

He urged the recruits and instructors to remain strong and continue with the approved training programme. While acknowledging the weight of the loss, he described the situation as a difficult moment not only for the GAFTS and GAF, but also the entire country.

General Gomez encouraged the recruits to remember their fallen comrades in their prayers and not allow grief to undermine their mental and physical preparation.

"It is not easy," he told the recruits, noting that many of them had spent considerable time training together and were approaching the completion of their course. He encouraged them to take courage, support one another and remain committed to their training.

The GAF boss called for patience as investigations into the circumstances surrounding the deaths continue. He stressed the importance of the investigation while urging everyone to allow the process to be completed in order to establish what happened.

He further commended the instructors for the support and encouragement they continue to provide to the recruits, especially during this difficult period. He urged them to maintain the morale of the trainees by offering encouragement and motivation.

He said this was never anyone's wish; the intention had been for all 500 recruits to successfully complete their training.

GOC 81 DIVISION OF THE NIGERIAN ARMY COMMISSIONS REMODELLED 9 BRIGADE MEDICAL CENTRE

The General Officer Commanding 81 Division, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has commissioned the remodelled 9 Brigade Medical Centre, Maryland, Lagos.

The ceremony held on Thursday 17 September 2026 was attended by senior military officers, AIG Zone 2, Comptroller of Immigration Lagos, representative of Oba of Onigbongbo and other dignitaries.

The project was initiated by the late Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen TA Lagbaja, sustained by Gen OO Oluyede and completed under the incumbent COAS, Lt Gen Waidi Shaibu. It aligns with the COAS "Soldiers First" philosophy which prioritizes welfare of troops and their families.

Speaking at the event, Maj Gen Babalola commended Army leadership for improving healthcare, noting that quality healthcare is key to morale and operational effectiveness. He said the facility will enhance medical services for personnel and families and reduce referrals.

Commander 9 Brigade, Brig Gen Olufemi Owolabi, thanked the COAS and acknowledged the late COAS for initiating the project.

The upgraded centre is now equipped with modern facilities including Digital X-Ray, Fluoroscopy Machine, fully equipped Operating Theatre, Anaesthetic Machine, Phototherapy Machines, Neonatal Incubators, Ultrasound, ECG, Defibrillators, Physiotherapy equipment, laboratory machines and Blood Bank, among others.

The new equipment will boost capacity in radiology, surgery, maternal and neonatal care, laboratory and emergency response.

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NAF RECEIVES FIVE NEW HELICOPTERS

The Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has taken delivery of five new helicopters as part of Federal Government efforts to modernise airpower.

The aircraft comprise three AW-109 Trekker B from Leonardo Helicopters, Italy, and two H-125 from Airbus Helicopters. The three AW-109s were received in Lagos on 15 September 2026, out of 10 acquired. The remaining seven are expected before end of 2026. The two H-125s were delivered earlier.

Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Sunday Kelvin Aneke, described it as a significant milestone in NAF modernisation, noting the platforms will increase asset availability and responsiveness across theatres.

He thanked the President and Commander-in-Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his sustained support.

Aneke said the AW-109s will enhance intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, close air support, armed es**rt, combat search and rescue and joint operations, while the H-125s will provide versatile light helicopter support.

The helicopters are undergoing post-delivery assembly ahead of induction.

He assured that NAF will prioritize maintenance and sustainment to ensure the new assets translate to operational effectiveness in countering terrorism, kidnapping and banditry.