In a significant development, ten senior officers of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) have officially retired after reaching the mandatory service years. This group includes six Major-Generals and four Brigadier-Generals. The retirement ceremony took place shortly after Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant-General Taoreed Lagbaja, inaugurated the newly built headquarters of the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps at Obienu Barracks in Bauchi.
The retiring officers are Major-General Nsor Okpa Ojiji, Major-General MH Magaji, Major-General GB Audu, Major-General M Danmadami, Major-General JG Mohammed, and Major-General UI Mohammed, along with Brigadier-General A. Israel, Brigadier-General BA Mohammed, Brigadier-General D. Abdulsalam, and Brigadier-General SP Akpan.
During the ceremony, Major-General Nsor Okpa Ojiji expressed his gratitude for the continued tradition of honoring retiring officers. He noted significant improvements within the corps, especially in terms of accommodation and overall barracks environment. “We recall that the Nigerian Army Armoured Corps (NAAC) has faced numerous challenges, from inadequate housing to insufficient professional and medical facilities. However, today we see many functional accommodation blocks and a welcoming barracks ambiance. These improvements are heartwarming,” Ojiji stated. He praised the efforts of the commander NAAC, his officers, soldiers, and their families for their dedication to enhancing the corps.
Despite the progress, Ojiji highlighted the ongoing issue of poor equipment grading in formations and units, stressing the need for continued improvements for better service delivery. He urged the Minister of Defence, Alhaji Badaru Abubakar, to prioritize these concerns during his tenure. “I appeal to the Hon. Minister to address this critical issue,” he added.
Major-General Mohammed Ahmed, the commandant of the Armoured Corps, expressed his mixed emotions during the ceremony. “I feel grateful, satisfied, and highly honored to witness the retirement of these senior officers,” he said. Ahmed emphasized the corps’ commitment to community service, mentioning initiatives like free medical services and provision of pipe-borne water.
He also highlighted the strides made by the Nigerian Army in maintaining its equipment, despite the universal challenge of resource limitations. “No army in the world has enough resources, but the Nigerian Army has developed its capacity significantly, maintaining most of our equipment at a high level,” Ahmed remarked. He wished the retired officers well in their future civilian endeavors and encouraged them to remain available for consultations to further improve the Armoured Corps.
The retirement of these high-ranking officers marks a pivotal moment for the NAAC, reflecting both its achievements and ongoing challenges as it continues to evolve and adapt.
