Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Balogun, Commander, 4 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Benin, has assured Nigerians that the military remained capable of overcoming the country’s security challenges.
Balogun gave the assurance on Friday in Benin, after leading officers and soldiers of the brigade on a 10-kilometre route march to commemorate the 2026 Nigerian Army Day Celebration (NADCEL).
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that route march formed part of activities marking the 163rd anniversary of the Nigerian Army.
The commander urged citizens to continue supporting ongoing operations across the country.
Addressing troops and journalists after the exercise, the brigadier-general said that the route march was intended to demonstrate the army’s operational readiness and physical fitness to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.
“As you have pointed out, 163 years of serving the Nigerian nation, protecting the people and safeguarding the territorial integrity of the nation is not a small thing.
“It is not a joke, and we have every reason to be grateful to God,” he said.
Balogun said that the 2026 celebration is unique because the Chief of Army Staff had directed commanders to reassure Nigerians that the army remained prepared to confront all security threats.
“The chief of army staff has charged us to go out and tell Nigerians that they have an army that is ready, equal to the task and capable of rising to its constitutional mandate.
“That is the essence of what we have done this morning.
“We just came back from a 10-kilometre route march to show Nigerians that we are able, we are fit and we are ready to continue discharging our constitutional responsibilities of safeguarding the people and securing the nation,” he said.
The commander appealed to Nigerians to continue supporting the military in its efforts to tackle insecurity.
“The Nigerian army is the people’s army. It belongs to all Nigerians and we assure them that we are equal to the task and capable of securing the nation.
“Nigerians should relax and trust the army. They should believe in the army and take ownership of it,” he said.
Earlier, while addressing the troops, Balogun described the Nigerian army’s 163-year history as one of sacrifice, resilience and unwavering commitment to national unity.
He said the army had continued to defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity and maintain peace despite evolving security challenges.
“To have kept the nation safe and secure for 163 years is not a joke. We have never lost a battle. We have fought and won from the World Wars to the Nigerian Civil War and the ongoing fight against Boko Haram insurgency.
“We have never lost a battle, and we will not lose any battle,” he said.
Balogun also highlighted the army’s contributions to peace support operations in countries, including Congo, Sudan, Liberia, Sierra Leone and The Gambia.
He commended officers and soldiers of the brigade for successfully completing the 10-kilometre march without casualties.
“Today, we have demonstrated that the Army is indeed capable.
“All of us went and all of us came back. Nobody entered an ambulance, not the commander, not the last soldier,” he said.
NAN reports that the Nigerian Army Day Celebration is observed annually to commemorate the establishment of the Nigerian army and honor the sacrifices of serving and fallen personnel. (NAN)
