His Excellency Mallam Nasiru Ahmed El-Rufai, the governor of Kaduna State, has urged the officers and soldiers of the 1 Division Nigerian Army to uphold their commitment to carrying out their constitutional obligations. The Governor made this statement on Saturday, February 18, 2022, at the West African Social Activities (WASA) celebration for the year 2022, which took place at the 2 Battalion Parade Ground in Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna.
The Governor, who was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr. Samuel Aruwan, reaffirmed that officers and soldiers of the Division have up to this point remained steadfast in carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, particularly in ensuring relative calm, peace, and security in Kaduna State and its surroundings. He praised the Division’s officers and members and exhorted them to carry out their constitutional duties with vigilance, impartiality, and resolve.
He profusely expressed his gratitude to Major General Taoreed Lagbaja, General Officer Commanding 1 Division and Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Punch, for his tenacity and perseverance in slashing sharply the number of ongoing kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, and other crimes/ anomalies within the Division’s Area of Responsibility and beyond. He observed with great delight how it had significantly improved the state of general security and produced an atmosphere that was conducive to the growth of socio-political and economic activity.
Earlier, in his welcome remarks, Major General TA Lagbaja, the General Officer Commanding 1 Division Nigerian Army and Force Commander Joint Task Force Operation Whirl Punch, emphasized the Division’s commitment to making Kaduna State peaceful so that all law-abiding citizens could continue with their lawful/legitimate businesses. He noted that the ongoing conduct of various operations in the Division’s Area of Responsibility has significantly reduced the security threats and increased the level of safety.
He made use of the occasion to honor and remember the dead soldiers who gave their lives to preserve the peace and unity of Kaduna State and our beloved nation of Nigeria. He then takes the chance to express his gratitude to Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya CFR, Chief of Army Staff, for his unwavering support, inspiration, and transformative leadership of the Nigerian Army, which he said was a major contributor to the Division’s so far-recorded victories.
Representatives of the Kaduna State Governor, the Air Commander Commanding Air Training Command, the Commandant Nigerian Defence Academy, the DG Defence Industries Corporation of Nigeria, and the Director State Security were among the dignitaries that attended the event. Others include the Commandant of the Nigerian Army School of Infantry, the Kaduna State Police Commissioner, the Commandant of the Military Police of the Nigerian Army, MD NBL, MD KADECO, the Heads of Sister Security Agencies and their representatives, Principal Staff Officers, and Formation Commanders, among others.
The inspection of various formations and units by the SGOH was one of the events’ highlights. Other highlights included cultural troupe performances by various ethnic groups in the barracks, including those by students from Command Secondary School Kaduna, awards presentations to deserving soldiers, souvenir presentations to dignitaries, beating of the retreat, and lighting of the campfire.
