The Acting Commander 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, Col J Umaru, on 8 Aug 26, embarked on a familiarization tour of selected Forward Operating Bases (FOBs) under the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
The tour was aimed at acquainting the Acting Commander with the operational disposition of troops, prevailing security dynamics and challenges confronting units and formations under his command, while also providing an opportunity to interact directly with personnel deployed across the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
This was contained in a statement signed by Yusuf Mohammed Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations 1 Brigade Nigerian Army, issued to newsmen.Gusau
Accordingly, in continuation of the exercise, Col Umaru visited various units and FOBs, where he was received by Commanding Officers and Unit Commanders. At each location, he was briefed on the prevailing security situation, troop deployment, ongoing operations, logistics and other operational concerns.
He also inspected key operational positions and facilities to assess the level of preparedness and effectiveness of troops in responding to emerging security threats.
Impressed by the briefings and on-the-spot inspections, the Commander commended the troops for their courage, resilience and commitment to duty despite the challenging operational environment.
He urged them to sustain the tempo of operations and remain vigilant, disciplined and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities. He further charged commanders at all levels to maintain effective supervision and leadership, while ensuring that troops remain adequately motivated and prepared for assigned tasks.
Building on the need for sustained operational effectiveness, Col Umaru emphasized the importance of intelligence gathering, information sharing and effective coordination among security agencies.
He urged troops to strengthen their engagement with sister security agencies, local authorities and members of host communities, noting that timely and credible information is essential to preventing attacks, disrupting criminal activities and enhancing the overall success of ongoing operations.
In addition, he further directed commanders to deliberately reposition troops towards a more proactive and intelligence-driven posture aimed at decisively defeating terrorist elements and other criminal groups within the Area of Responsibility.
He stressed the need for continuous review of deployment patterns, aggressive patrols, ambush operations and improved synchronization of kinetic and non-kinetic efforts to deny terrorists freedom of action.
According to him, commanders must ensure flexibility in tactics, rapid response to threats and sustained pressure on adversaries to dismantle their networks and restore lasting security in affected communities.
Beyond these operational directives, the Acting Commander stressed the need for troops to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and respect for the rights of law-abiding citizens.
He reminded personnel that their conduct remains critical to sustaining public confidence and strengthening the relationship between the Nigerian Army and the communities it serves. He therefore encouraged troops to remain disciplined, proactive and resolute while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities.
Reinforcing the emphasis on troop welfare, he also strongly reminded all commanders of the Chief of Army Staff’s “Soldier First” mantra, stressing that the welfare, morale, training and well-being of troops must remain a top priority in all command decisions.
He noted that adherence to this philosophy is essential in building loyalty, trust and cohesion within the ranks, which in turn translates into improved operational effectiveness and better battlefield outcomes.
He charged commanders to lead with empathy, ensure fair treatment of personnel and create an enabling environment that inspires confidence and commitment among troops.
In a related engagement with stakeholders within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility, Col Umaru subsequently paid a courtesy visit to the Emir of Kaura Namoda, His Royal Highness Maj (Dr) Sanusi Mohammed Ahmed Asha (Rtd).
The visit provided an opportunity for the Acting Commander to engage the traditional institution on prevailing security issues and to seek continued support for the military and other security agencies operating within the area.
During the visit, Col Umaru appreciated the Emirate for its continued support and cooperation with the Nigerian Army. He particularly solicited enhanced collaboration in the areas of intelligence sharing, early warning and community engagement, stressing that the support of traditional rulers and local communities remains indispensable to the success of security operations.
In his remarks, the Emir of Kaura Namoda Maj (Dr) Sanusi Mohammed Ahmed Asha (Rtd) appreciated the Acting Commander for the visit and commended the Nigerian Army for its sacrifices and sustained efforts towards protecting lives and property. He assured the Commander of the continued support and cooperation of the traditional institution and the people of Kaura Namoda in the collective efforts to maintain peace and security in the area.
Overall, the familiarization tour underscores the Acting Commander’s commitment to providing effective leadership, strengthening operational coordination and improving civil-military relations across the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility.
