Major General Mohammed Takuti Usman, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 81 Division of the Nigerian Army (NA), has called on soldiers to prioritize loyalty to President Bola Tinubu and all constituted authorities.
Usman made this statement during an address to soldiers at the 35 Artillery Brigade in Alamala, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
Addressing the soldiers, the GOC told them to be professional and exhibit total loyalty beginning with the President down to the top echelon of the Armed Forces.
His remarks come against the backdrop of ongoing military coups in several African nations, with the latest occurring in Gabon on Wednesday.
Accompanied by Brigadier General Mohammed Tajudeen Aminu, the Commander of the 35 Artillery Brigade, Usman, warned that Nigerian Armed Forces would not condone disloyalty.
While acknowledging certain challenges, he said they are not unique to the Brigade Command.
“While we are looking at the challenges and how to solve them, you have to be disciplined soldiers, you have to be loyal soldiers.
“When I mean loyalty, your loyalty must start with the Commander in chief of the Armed Forces who is the President. That’s first, and then down the ladder. Loyalty to the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, down to your Brigade Commander.
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“You have to be loyal. There is no room for soldiers that are not loyal to the constituted authority, no. If you are not going to be loyal, then, leave, go and do other work. But the Armed Forces cannot stand it if you are not loyal.
“Discipline, loyalty and top professionalism. We are bearing arms so that other people can sleep well and go about their normal activities. You also have to be hardworking. If you go on any course, make sure you do your best and be among the best. Once you have all these, you will grow in this job,” he said.
The GOC also commissioned the Quarter Guard project at the Barrack and visited the Alake and paramount ruler of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo.
He noted that Nigeria won’t be a safe place if there were no soldiers in the country.