By Reportcircle Abuja
The Nigerian Army on Monday executed one of its most significant personnel boosts in recent months as 315 soldiers of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Owerri, were decorated with new ranks, a move firmly tied to the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) sweeping mandate to elevate welfare, sharpen professionalism, and reinforce operational capability across the force.
At a parade-ground ceremony charged with emotion and military precision, the Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade and Land Component Commander of Operation UDOKA, Brigadier General Ibrahim Mu’azu Abbas, delivered a blunt message to the newly promoted troops: “Your promotion today is part of the COAS’ mandate to strengthen our operational readiness, I expect you to justify this confidence.”
Addressing the formation, Brig Gen Abbas said the mass promotion reflects the leadership philosophy of Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, whose tenure, he noted, has placed premium value on discipline, merit and troop welfare.
He reminded the soldiers that elevation in rank is not ceremonial but strategic, a marker of trust and a demand for heightened commitment.
According to him, the promotions cut across units and specialties within the Brigade, forming a deliberate effort to fortify the Army’s posture in the South-East, where Operation UDOKA continues to confront security threats and restore stability.
“These new ranks come with heavier responsibilities,” he warned. “The expectation is clear, greater discipline, stronger loyalty, and enhanced operational efficiency.”
Senior officers also delivered words of guidance, underscoring the weight of expectations attached to the promotions.
They included Chief of Staff, Colonel SM Ahmed; Garrison Commander, Lt Col J Abuo; Commanding Officer 342 Artillery Regiment, Lt Col BB Laah; and Brigade RSM, Master Warrant Officer Malam Garba.
The event featured the ceremonial decoration of personnel by senior officers and proud family members, culminating in a brigade-wide group photograph, a symbolic show of strengthened unity and renewed operational resolve.
With the Army intensifying its efforts across the South-East, Monday’s promotions signal not just recognition of past performance but a forward-looking investment: a bolstered, motivated and more capable force ready to deliver on the mission.
