Be Security Conscious, Battalion One Commander Tells Army Officers In Birnin-Kebbi

From Ayodele Ajoge, Birnin-Kebbi

The Commanding Officer (rear) of 1Battalion Nigeria Army, Birnin-Kebbi, Kebbi State,Major Patrick A. Azubuine, has charged officers, soldiers and their families to be security conscious at all times in the spate of banditry ravaging the areas of operations of the 1 Battalion.

 The Comanding Officer (rear) made this charge at the annual day celebrations of West Africa Social Activites popularly known as WASA in Birnin-Kebbi over the weekend. 

Major Azubuine who traced the history of WASA to the pre-Colonial days said  WASA is an age longed tradition in the Nigerian Army, traceable to pre-independence period, which the tradition is part of the Nigerian Army ethics and ethos usually organized to enable officers, soldiers, families and civilian friends interact and merry in a conducive atmosphere.

According to him, WASA further promotes comradeship, deepens esprit de corps and strengthens unity among personnels, adding that the event is usually organized to mark end of the year’s training activities and to usher in activities for the next year.

“It is remarkable to note that 1 Battalion Rear had an eventful year in 2024, as we appraise with joy our achievements having completed all training schedules as reflected in Army Headquarters Forecast of Events, notwithstanding some glaring challenges.

“The successes we achieved this year could only be realized through dedication to service and personnel commitment in executing all assigned task, we recorded remarkable improvement in our performances in the area of implementation of our training programmes, troops’ welfare and securing our area of responsibility.”

Major Azubuine explained that these significant feats could only be achieved through our collective efforts and dedication to duty, adding that, troops’ welfare and infrastructural development within Dukku Barracks also received the needed attention as remarkable successes were recorded. 

“Prominent among the aforementioned include; the improvement of our water source with introduction of Solar system, establishment of sensitive operational deployments, repairs of numbers of operations vehicles to improve the combat efficiency of the Unit in the spate of rising insecurity in the region and the country as a whole.” 

He explained father that, achievements includes the effort made to successful include a reasonable number of qualified young adult within the barracks community in this year Army recruitment exercise in an effort to dissuade them from idleness and related crimes amongst others vices.

 “With these achievements so far, we remain eternally grateful to the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) Lt Gen Olufemi Oluyede who has remained committed to improving the wellbeing of troops and their families to discharge their constitutional duties in an enabling environment.

“I wish to state clearly that my next line of action as the Commanding Officer Rear is to consolidate on the successes recorded and continue to improve on our services to the Battalion, the good people of Kebbi State and the Nigeria Nation at large.

“I want to use this medium to appreciate the President and Commander – in – Chief, President Bola Ahmed Tinibu, and  the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen O O Oluyede for their tremendous support at ensuring an improved working condition and troops’ welfare, It is my humble assurance that we shall continue to key into the COAS’ command philosophy.

“To Consolidate the Transformation of the Nigerian Army Towards a Well-Motivated and Combat-Ready Force that can Effectively Discharge its Constitutional Responsibilities within a Joint and Multi-Agency Environment.” He said. 

He said further that last year witnesses several operational and administrative visits within the Battalion Area of Operational Responsibility.

The essence of the visits according to him, was to build the needed synergy amongst other security agencies and to assess troops’ welfare, conduct, deployment and to interact with the troops to further ensure strict adherence to operation