Also, 75 Colonels were elevated to the rank of Brigadier General.

Their promotion is coming after the retirement of 113 generals on Wednesday.

However, a statement on Friday by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the council approved the promotions of the senior officers on Thursday.

He noted that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, urged them to redouble their efforts to justify their elevation and the confidence reposed in them.

According to him, those promoted to the rank of Major General include, Brig Gen WB Etuk, Commandant Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management; Brig Gen JE Osifo, Commandant Nigerian Army School of Finance and Administration; Brigadier General WM Dangana Commander Sector 3 Joint Task Force North East Operation HADIN KAI; Brig Gen TB Ugiagbe Acting Chief of Military Intelligence, Brig Gen ASM Wase Deputy Director General Land Forces Stimulation Centre Nigeria Operations; Brig Gen MA Abdullahi Commandant Depot Nigerian Army; Brig Gen BI Alaya Commander Command Engineering Depot, Brig Gen AO Oyelade Director Personnel Planning Army Headquarters Department of personnel Management; Brig Gen OO Arogundade Commandant Nigerian Army School of Electrical and Mechanical Engineering, Brig Gen EI Okoro Commander 13 Brigade; Brig Gen CR Nnebeife Executive Director Nigerian Army Farms and Ranches Limited and Brig Gen FU Mijinyawa Director Plans Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plans

Others are Brig Gen MT Abdullahi Commander 50 Space Command; Brig Gen M Adamu Commander 32 Brigade; Brig Gen ND Shagaya Commandant Nigerian Army School of Supply and Transport; Brig Gen ME Onoja Office of the CDS and Brig Gen MO Erebulu Acting Director Psychological Warfare Defence Headquarters.

Also elevated to the rank of Major General are Brig Gen BA Ilori Commander of Army Headquarters Garrison Ordnance Services, Brig Gen MO Ihanuwaze Director Budget Army Headquarters, Brig Gen O Nwachukwu Director Army Public Relations, Brig Gen EE Ekpenyong of the Nigerian Army Resource Centre, Brig Gen SI Musa Director Legal Service (Army), Brig Gen M Galadima Commander Command Finance Office and Brig Gen AP Ahmadu Commander 1 Division Ordnance Service.

Officers promoted from the rank of Colonel to Brigadier General are Col Nwakonobi Chief of Staff Headquarters 3 Brigade, Col MC Akin Ojo Commander of 41 Engineer Brigade, Col BM Madaki Deputy Director Army Headquarters Operations Monitoring Team, Col MO Edide Directing Staff Army War College Nigeria, Col KE Inyang Commander 76 ST Brigade, Col OO Nafiu Chief of Staff Office of the Chief of Army Staff, Col PA Zipele Commander Signal Operations Command, Col OA Onasanya Acting Command Guards Brigade, Col MI Amatso Deputy Director Department of Civil Military Affairs, Col CM Akaliro Deputy Director Army Headquarters Department of Army Transformation and Innovation, Col NE Okoloagu Directing Staff Army War College Nigeria, Col AS Bugaje Acting Director Special Forces Infantry Corps Centre, Col AM Kitchner Commander 6 Division Finance and Account, Col SJ Dogo Deputy Chief of Staff Operations Headquarters 82 Division and Col JN Garba Commander 32 Brigade Garrison.

Others elevated to the rank of Brigadier General are Col PT Gbor Commander 81 Military Intelligence Brigade. Col SO Okoigi Acting Corps Commander Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Col AF Maimagani Acting Director Chaplaincy (Roman Catholic), Col PO Alimekhena Headquarters 81 Division, Col BI George Acting Director Directorate of Dental Services Headquarters Nigerian Army Medical Corps, Col IB Gambari Headquarters 63 Brigade and Col AY Emekoma Participant Senior Executive Course 45 National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

It was also gathered that the death toll from the incident had increased to 120 as officials of Amnesty International who visited the affected communities confirmed the increase in the death toll.

An air strike intended to flush out terrorists had on Sunday night accidentally hit civilians during a religious celebration at Tudun Biri.

While the Army claimed responsibility for the incident, the National Emergency Management Agency had on Monday night put the casualty figure at 85, adding that 66 victims sustained injuries.

But the accidental bombing on Tuesday attracted more condemnations from the pan-Northern political and cultural association, the Arewa Consultative Forum, and the Jama’tu Nasril Islam, saying that those found culpable should be punished.

On their part, President Bola Tinubu, and former Vice President Atiku Abubakar mourned the victims of the bombing.

As the nation mourned the dead, survivors of the bombing recounted their experiences.

Forty-five-year-old Saudatu Alamagani, said the community was bombed twice.

Alamagani, who narrowly escaped being killed in the attack, said the incident started like a Nollywood movie around 10pm when a large number of Muslims celebrating Maulud, the birthday of Muhammad, were bombed.

She said while celebrating the Maulud, “The military started raining bombs on us’’, adding that at first, the worshippers mistook their attackers to be bandits.

She stated that while everybody scampered for safety, dead bodies littered “everywhere.”

She stated that while members of the community went in search of motorcycle operators to convey the critically injured to the nearest medical facilities for treatment, the military bombed the community again.

“They bombed us twice,” she said, adding that “it all started around 10pm when the military started bombing our community. We were celebrating the Maulud, the birthday of Prophet Muhammad.

“While we were looking for motorcycles to convey those that critically needed medical attention to the hospital, the military returned with the bombardment. Many villagers including women, men, children, and even pregnant women were killed during the attack.

“Four members of my family were killed in the attack. Some of the bodies of the dead littered the ground.”

Saudatu appealed to the government to assist members of the community, especially victims’ families to cushion the effect of the bomb attack.

Another survivor, 60-year-old Sulaiman Umar, told our correspondents that the village was bombed twice.

He stated, “I was eating that night when we were bombed. Many people died. We could hardly identify our children; some with their intestines out. They bombed us twice. After the first round of bombs, they came back to bomb us again.

“I ran into a deep forest where I slept till daybreak. We covered the dead with leaves. We separated the males from the females and covered them with leaves.”

Giving an update on the tragic incident, The Country Director of Amnesty International, Isah Sanusi, said officials of the organisation were on the ground at the affected communities and counted over 120 persons who died in the bombing.

He said, “I can confirm to you that the current number of casualties in the affected areas is more than 120 persons.”

He explained that there were at least 77 bodies buried in each of the mass graves, insisting that the casualty figure was higher than what NEMA stated.

“According to our contact who was at the scene of the mass burial, there were at least 77 dead bodies in each of the mass graves. There also 17 other persons who are from adjoining villages who lost their lives in the ugly incident,” he stated.

But the NEMA Chief Information Officer, Kaduna State, Halima Suleman, told one of our correspondents that the casualty figure of 85 persons released on Monday by the agency had not been updated when contacted on Tuesday.

She, however, stated that NEMA was intervening in the affected communities, as it took some of the injured persons to hospitals and was providing relief items to others.

“We are, of course, intervening in the communities, because our officials are on the ground there today. They took some persons to hospitals, provided relief items and gave moral support,” she stated.

But the pan-Northern socio-political organisation, ACF, and the Sultan Sa’ad Abubakar lll led Jama’atu Nasril Islam, called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the military bombing.

Reacting separately to the incident, the ACF described it as “horrific”, noting that the northern organisation was highly disturbed that such an operation could be contemplated and executed in the densely populated area, “suggesting an inexcusable, scandalous and plausibly incompetent failure of intelligence.”

In a statement by the National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammed-Baba, on Tuesday, the forum commiserated with the state government and families of victims, praying that “God grant the dead peace.”

The forum noted that efforts must be put in place to avert such “avoidable” loss of lives and property in the future, adding that communities in the Northern states had had enough problems with banditry and should not in any way be further inflicted with more pains.

Consequently, the ACF demanded an apology from the Nigerian Army as well as a full, thorough, honest, and open investigation of the incident, to establish what exactly happened.

According to the ACF, any and all those found guilty of professional or operational incompetence must be severely disciplined, and transparently so.

It also noted that the investigation must be undertaken with the full participation of the people of the affected community (who must not be intimidated into keeping quiet about the gory details of their losses).

“For emphasis, the Kaduna State Government has a duty to act to protect the interest of the victims and not the Nigerian Army personnel that perpetrated the incident.

“Full compensation must be paid for the dead in accordance with current Islamic diya value for individual lives.

“The injured must not only be fully treated free of charge but must also be rehabilitated on full recovery, as well as fully compensated for losses of livelihoods and incomes while on the road to full recovery,” the statement added.

On its part, the JNI in a statement by its Secretary-General, Prof. Khalid Abubakar-Aliyu, reiterated the organisation’s commitment to seeking justice for the victims’ families.

The statement partly read, “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam, representing the collective voice of the Ummah, stands in profound consternation and grief over the tragic incident that unfolded at Tudun-Biri village in Igabi Local Government Area of Kaduna State, during a Maulud celebration, as was reported.

“It is thus with heavy hearts that we express our deepest condolences and sympathies to the families, as well as the loved ones of the deceased victims, and we fervently pray for the swift recovery and healing of those injured. “JNI therefore vehemently condemns this tragic incident in its entirety and calls for a thorough, impartial, and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the devastating and most unfortunate event. We urge authorities to ensure that those responsible are held accountable in accordance with the subsisting laws.”

The Director, Army Public Relations,  Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, who addressed journalists in Abuja, on Wednesday, said the suspects were arrested during an operation jointly conducted by the Army and the Nigeria Immigration Service.

He also disclosed that no fewer than 13 criminals were killed and 88 arrested  during various operations across 20 states of the federation.

Among those arrested include 50 suspects comprising foreigners who were nabbed for alleged International job racketeering.

Onyema said, “In the South-West region, on November 2, 2023, troops of 9 Brigade Nigerian Army in conjunction with personnel of Nigerian Immigration Service, Lagos State Command, conducted a raid operation on a suspected criminal hideout at Ifako Ijaye.

“During the operation, 50 suspects, including foreigners who specialise in international job racketeering, were arrested. In a similar development same day, the same troops arrested two suspects at a hotel in Ogba in the Ikeja LGA.

“The arrest was in connection with the murder of one Mallam Idris Ardo, the Ardo of Panya Village in Plateau State. Preliminary investigation revealed that one of the arrested suspects masterminded the killing of Ardo and fled the community since the incident occurred.”

The publication outlined the key details of the recruitment process, stating, “The Nigerian Army wishes to inform the general public and all interested qualified candidates of the commencement of online registration for 86 Regular Recruits Intake for trades/non-tradesmen and women.”

The recruitment process kicked off with online registration, which began on September 25 and is set to conclude on October 27, 2023. Selected candidates will participate in a state recruitment exercise scheduled for November 6th to November 19th, 2023.

The report also provides a step-by-step guide for applicants:

1. Apply online at the recruitment portal http://recruitment.army.mil.ng.
2. Log in to the above-mentioned link using the provided username and password.
3. Complete the application form, submit it online, and print a copy. Additionally, complete the Guarantor’s form as required.
4. Bring duly signed copies of the application and guarantor’s forms to the designated state recruitment centers.

Furthermore, the Army Headquarters outlined the eligibility criteria for applicants, including being single and Nigerian citizens by birth, possessing a National Identity Card/NIN, having no criminal convictions, and meeting educational qualifications (a minimum of 4 passes in not more than two sittings in WASCE/GCE/NECO/NABTEB).

Physical fitness is a requirement, and candidates must meet the height criteria of at least 1.68 meters for males and 1.65 meters for females. Applicants must also possess a valid birth certificate/age declaration endorsed by the National Population Commission, Hospital, or Local Government Council, as well as a valid state of origin.

For tradesmen/women, in addition to the age requirements, they must also possess a Trade Test/City Guild Certificate.

Registered Nurses and Midwives, not above 30 years old, are also eligible to apply.

The exercise flagged off on Tuesday, was to clear the area following the 2002 bomb blast that rocked the cantonment.

The recovered bombs, according to the Army, were in various calibres and descriptions.

The Director at the Directorate of Explosives Search and Disposal, Nigeria Army Engineers / Coordinator of EXERCISE CLEAN SWEEP, Colonel Abdulrazaq Kazeem,  made the disclosure in his maiden brief on the update of the exercise on Thursday.

He said, “We have so far recovered 93 ordnances of different calibers. So at 93, we are not yet up to the explosives, we measure it in kilograms, so once we get to that particular explosive limit, then we’ll move to the range”, he said.

Despite past clearance and disposal exercises at the site, there have been several reports of the discovery of remnants of UXOs within and around the vicinity of the bomb blast much to the detriment of the safety and security of the inhabitants of the Cantonment and environment.

On his part, the Safety Officer, Lt Col Oluseyi Oladapo Bamikole said necessary measures had been put in place “for the safety of personnel as they have made adequate equipment available including demarcations and trained personnel to identify UXO before recovery from the site.”

Also speaking, Lieutenant Colonel Oluseyi Bamikole, the safety officer, highlighted that adequate equipment, demarcations, and trained personnel have been made available to identify UXOs before recovery, emphasizing the meticulous approach taken to ensure the safety of all those participating in this critical mission.

The ex-militant leader had in an interview on a Podcast anchored by Channels Television’s Seun Okinbaloye claimed he had a military company engaged by the government to work alongside the military in some states of the federation.

Asari-Dokubo had said,  “I don’t have an army but I have a private military company that was engaged by the Nigerian government and I have been doing the work for the Nigerian state. Private military companies exist all over the world; we have Black Waters, we have Wagner; we have so many private military companies.

“So, I have a private military company that is engaged by the government and we are fighting side by side with the Nigerian military in many places. Like Niger, Plateau, Abia, Imo, and parts of Rivers State. We were in Anambra too. We are doing a good job and we are being commended by the host communities.”

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja conveyed this commitment during a meeting with Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman/CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), and the commission’s top management team at the Army Headquarters in Abuja.

In a statement by NIDCOM’s spokesperson, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja emphasized the Army’s readiness to collaborate with the commission’s efforts in encouraging skilled Nigerians in the diaspora to return home and contribute to the development of various sectors in the country.

Recognizing that Nigeria boasts highly talented doctors in the UK, US, Canada, and South Africa, Lt. Gen. Lagbaja stated that the Nigerian Army, under his leadership, would be eager to employ these doctors upon their return.

This move is aimed at curbing the challenge of brain drain and utilizing the expertise of skilled professionals for the nation’s benefit.

Lt. Gen. Lagbaja expressed his pride in the achievements of the Nigerian military abroad, highlighting their excellence in fulfilling various military assignments and bringing honor to the country.

He also revealed his willingness to collaborate with NIDCOM to enhance the visibility of the Army and foster a greater appreciation among Nigerians for their dedication to safeguarding the nation against both internal and external threats.

Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, in turn, commended Lt. Gen. Lagbaja for his professionalism and the positive image he has cultivated for the Army since assuming office.

She highlighted the commission’s eagerness to partner with the Nigerian Army in recognizing and celebrating their vital contributions to humanity and national security.

While presenting the commission’s activities and potential areas of collaboration, Dabiri-Erewa encouraged Lt. Gen. Lagbaja and the Army to continue their dedicated service, emphasizing that Nigerians truly value their sacrifices.

The Director,  Army Public Relations,  Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Sunday, said the security operatives carried out a sting operation on the site after an intelligence report.

He added that “the vigilant troops on storming the illegal refining site, discovered 35 modular ovens used for illegal refining of crude oil, three fabricated reservoirs, 30 dug-out reservoirs, and 75 galvanised pipes.”

Onyema said,  “In a sustained effort to deny oil thieves freedom of action in the  South-South Nigeria and protect the oil sector from economic sabotage, troops of 181 Amphibious battalion of the Nigerian Army, operating in 6 Division Area of Responsibility, in conjunction with operatives of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, as well as operatives of Tantita Security, have uncovered a major illegal oil refining site at Owahwa community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of Delta State.

“The combined team of anti-oil theft troops discovered on Saturday, July 29, 2023, in a sting operation following a surveillance report on the illicit activities of illegal oil refiners in the area.”

Director of Army Public Relations, Onyema Nywachukwu said the operation took place on Saturday, July 15, along Ajilete-Owode Road in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State.

The development followed an actionable intelligence made available to the troops. Nwachukwu said the truck was loaded with 720 packets of Red Star Cartridges of 12 Calibre, containing 25 cartridges per packet, totalling 18, 000 cartridges and an additional 250 packets of live (black) cartridges containing 10 packets each, totalling 2500 cartridges of the same calibre

He added that “the suspects, identified as Eric Seworvor, a Ghanaian national, and the driver, Mr Lukman Sani, have been taken into custody and are helping with ongoing investigations”.

Preliminary investigation has revealed that the weapons were smuggled from Mali, via Idiroko International Border.

President Buhari members of the National Executive Council, concerned state governors, military chiefs, and members of the diplomatic corps, among others, are expected to be present at the parade.

Since 2007, new units have been established and operationalised in line with the increasing operational commitments of the Nigerian Army as well as provisions of extant Nigerian Army “Order of Battle”.

During a press conference at the Army Headquarters in Abuja on Tuesday, the Director, Army Public Relations, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, noted that the army was excited to host what he tagged one of its historic traditional events.

Nwachukwu said, “Historically, the origin of colours dated back to the early days when men fixed their family badge to a pole and held it aloft in the battle for the dual purpose of indicating their position and as a rallying point, should the occasion arise. This tradition was sustained by medieval chivalry as armorial bearings were placed on their banners so that these could be seen well above the melee.

At the beginning of the 16th century, when armies were beginning to adopt a system of regimentation, each unit was allotted a colour, a custom which persisted till present day.

“In the NA, the first known account of colours dated back to 1863 when the company designated for Nigeria moved from Gold Coast (now Ghana) to Nigeria with their company’s flag, which represented their colours or guidon as they are called by the British.

However, colour presentation in the NA for the first time was done in 1922 when the then British monarch, His Majesty, King John V, awarded colours to each battalion of the Nigerian regiments, which formed part of the British West African Frontier Forces, in recognition of their services.

“The regiment, as a whole, was also granted a colour which has an inscription written in Arabic captioned ‘Victory is from God Alone,’ and till date, this inscription is being used by the Nigerian Army on the logo and also on NA officers’ cap badges of the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and below as well as non-commissioned officers.”