Army Focuses on Combat Readiness and Improved Personnel Welfare

The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned refurbished operational vehicles and a renovated Soldiers’ Club at the Nigerian Army Women’s Command, Giri, Abuja, reaffirming the Nigerian Army’s focus on operational readiness and personnel welfare.

Represented by the Acting Director, Army Public Relations, Colonel Appolonia Anele, the COAS commended the leadership and personnel of the Command for the initiative, noting that serviceable vehicles were essential to the timely movement of troops, equipment and logistics.

Shaibu urged personnel entrusted with the vehicles to ensure proper maintenance, responsible handling and strict adherence to regulations, while directing commanders to ensure that maintenance schedules were observed and the vehicles used only for authorised military purposes.

The Army Chief also described the Soldiers’ Club as important to the welfare, morale and cohesion of personnel and their families.

He explained that the facility would provide an avenue for relaxation, recreation and social interaction while strengthening esprit de corps.

The COAS charged personnel to maintain discipline and professionalism in the use of the facility, stressing that the vehicles and Soldiers’ Club should serve as practical tools for improving operational effectiveness and personnel welfare.

He subsequently commissioned the refurbished vehicles and Soldiers’ Club for service and use in accordance with extant regulations.

The Commander, Nigerian Army Women’s Command, Brigadier General Mohammed Sani Adamu, said the commissioning built on the Command’s earlier efforts to improve operational mobility.

He recalled that 12 vehicles, including two coaster buses and 10 key operational vehicles, were re-operationalised on 25 June 2026.

He said the Command’s readiness was demonstrated during the April 14 security challenge in Jos, Plateau State, when the COAS directed the deployment of a company from the formation to the state before 9 a.m. the following day.

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According to him, the Command’s operational mobility enabled the troops to mobilise promptly and support efforts to suppress the situation and restore peace.

Brigadier General Adamu said four refurbished coaster buses were commissioned during the latest ceremony after being restored from deplorable conditions, adding that the Command considered all its vehicles critical to maintaining readiness for deployment at short notice.

On personnel welfare, he said the Soldiers’ Club had previously lacked adequate lighting, proper sanitation and a conducive environment but had now undergone a complete overhaul to provide soldiers with a suitable place to relax, interact and receive guests.

The commander said the improvements were consistent with the First Soldier concept, stressing that soldiers’ welfare must remain a priority under the leadership of the COAS.

In a post-event interview, Brigadier General Adamu said the Command had also recorded expanded operational roles under the current COAS, including the deployment of a female contingent for a peace-support operation in the Republic of Benin, deployment to restore peace in Plateau State under Operation ENDURING PEACE, and election security duties in Osun State.

He attributed the achievements to the approval, direction and enabling environment provided by the Chief of Army Staff.

The outgoing commander disclosed that he would proceed to serve as the pioneer commander of the 8 Brigade in Ado-Ekiti.