By Harriet Tornguvan
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Babalola, has urged troops deployed in Badagry, Lagos State, to remain disciplined, professional and law-abiding in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
The charge was delivered during the GOC’s operational and familiarised visit to formations in Badagry, including the 243 Reconnaissance Battalion and the 15 Field Engineer Regiment. Addressing officers and soldiers at the 243 Recce Battalion parade ground, Babalola emphasised the need for personnel to uphold the core values of the Nigerian Army while maintaining high professional standards.
According to a statement by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations for the Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya, the GOC explained that the visit formed part of his ongoing operational and administrative tour to assess units and interact directly with troops.
He commended the level of professionalism shown by the formations based on operational briefings from their commanding officers and encouraged them to sustain the tempo.
General Babalola noted that ongoing reforms within the Army were aimed at improving operational effectiveness and personnel welfare, urging soldiers to remain patient and committed while assuring them that conditions of service would continue to improve.
Reinforcing the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldier First Culture,” he pledged that the welfare and wellbeing of personnel and their families would remain a priority.
He also reminded troops that while firmness is required in confronting terrorists and criminal elements during operations nationwide, they must avoid harassment or molestation of law-abiding civilians and always operate within the law.
The statement noted that during the visit to the 243 Recce Battalion, the GOC commissioned a newly constructed bus stop at the unit’s main gate, an initiative of the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A.A. Ikoro. He also carried out a tree-planting exercise, inspected armoured vehicles and visited the battalion’s medical centre, where he interacted with personnel receiving treatment.
At the 15 Field Engineer Regiment, Topo Barracks, the GOC received an operational briefing from the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel A.E. Amangele, before touring key facilities including the medical centre and the newly built Nigerian Army Officers’ Wives Association crèche, nursery and primary school.
As part of his engagements in Badagry, Major General Babalola paid a condolence visit to the palace of the late Akran of Badagry Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Oba De Wheno Aholu Menu Toyi I, who died at the age of 89. He described the monarch as a revered traditional ruler, bridge-builder and promoter of culture, tourism and peace.
The GOC conveyed condolences to the royal family and the Badagry community on behalf of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, while also appreciating the sustained support and hospitality extended by the host community to military units stationed in the area.
He was accompanied on the tour by formation commanders and senior staff officers of the Division.
