The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has charged troops of 4 Brigade, NA, to increase their operational tempo and intensify efforts in neutralising criminal elements within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Acting Deputy Director 2 Division Army Public Relations said he gave the charge on Friday, 11 September 2026, while addressing troops of the Brigade at Ekehuan Cantonment, Benin City, Edo State.
The GOC, while commending the troops for their resilience, commitment and efforts towards curbing criminality in the state, noted that sustained pressure on criminal elements would prevent them from perpetrating further crimes and serve as a deterrent to others nursing similar criminal intentions. He urged the troops to intensify their efforts and achieve greater operational results, stressing the need to ensure that major highways within the Brigade’s AOR remain safe for commuters. He further tasked the troops to adopt a more proactive approach to preventing and disrupting the activities of kidnappers and other criminal elements across the state.
Major General Mahmuda commended the Commander, 4 Brigade, NA, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, for the operational successes recorded by the Brigade. He expressed satisfaction with the Brigade’s efforts in maintaining effective control of the security situation within its AOR.
The GOC particularly commended the troops for their recent operational successes, including successful rescue operations, the foiling of attempted kidnappings and the recovery of money reportedly intended for ransom payments. He urged the troops to sustain the momentum and remain relentless in their efforts to deny criminals freedom of action. He, however, cautioned the troops to remain highly committed, vigilant and professional in the discharge of their duties, stressing that criminal elements must not be allowed the opportunity to regroup or resume their activities.
Speaking on troops’ welfare, the GOC stated that the NA is committed to improving the welfare and wellbeing of its personnel. He noted that the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, places welfare among its cardinal pillars, with the “Soldiers First” concept reflected in various interventions across formations and units. He further noted that the recent salary increase was part of broader efforts to improve the welfare of personnel, urging the troops to respond with greater commitment, discipline and dedication to duty, stressing that “to whom much is given, much is also expected.”
He also cautioned personnel against involvement in any form of illegality, drug abuse and irresponsible use of social media. He equally urged them to conduct themselves professionally at all times and adhere strictly to the core values of the NA.
Earlier, the Commander, 4 Brigade, NA, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, briefed the GOC on the activities and operational engagements of the Brigade.Thereafter,the Commander led the GOC on an inspection tour of various projects recently completed and commissioned within the Brigade Headquarters. The visit climaxed with a banquet organised in honour of the GOC for his maiden operational visit to the Brigade.
