The General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has directed troops of 4 Brigade to increase their operational tempo and intensify efforts to disrupt kidnappers and other criminal elements across the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility in Edo State.
The charge which was contained in a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Jonah Danjuma, said Major General Mahmuda gave the directive on 11 September 2026 while addressing troops of 4 Brigade at Ekehuan Cantonment, Benin City, during his maiden operational visit to the Brigade.
He commended the troops for their resilience, commitment and sustained efforts against criminality, stressing that continued operational pressure would restrict the ability of criminal elements to regroup and perpetrate further attacks.
The GOC particularly tasked the troops with ensuring that major highways within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility remain safe for commuters, while adopting a more proactive approach to preventing and disrupting kidnapping and other criminal activities across the state.
Effective Control
Major General Mahmuda also commended the Commander, 4 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Ahmed Balogun, for the Brigade’s operational successes and expressed satisfaction with its efforts to maintain effective control of the security situation within its Area of Responsibility.
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Among the recent successes highlighted by the GOC were 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 denying criminal elements freedom of action.
At the same time, Major General Mahmuda stressed the need for vigilance and professionalism, warning that criminals must not be given the opportunity to regroup or resume their activities.
He also cautioned personnel against involvement in any form of illegality, drug abuse and irresponsible use of social media, while urging strict adherence to the core values of the Nigerian Army.
On personnel welfare, the GOC reaffirmed the Nigerian Army’s commitment to improving the wellbeing of its troops, linking the effort to the Command Philosophy of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, particularly its Soldiers First concept.
Greater Commitment
He noted that welfare interventions across formations and units, including the recent salary increase, form part of broader efforts to improve the conditions of service. The GOC urged personnel to reciprocate those interventions with greater commitment, discipline and dedication to duty, stressing that increased support also carries increased responsibility.
Earlier, Brigadier General Balogun briefed the GOC on the Brigade’s activities and operational engagements.
The Commander subsequently led Major General Mahmuda on an inspection of recently completed and commissioned projects at the Brigade Headquarters.
The visit concluded with a banquet organised in honour of the GOC as part of his maiden operational visit to 4 Brigade, providing an opportunity to reinforce the operational and welfare priorities underpinning the Army’s engagement with troops deployed across Edo State.
