Soldiers of the 17 Brigade in Katsina have been cautioned to avoid any compromises with civilians while carrying out internal security duties.
The Nigerian Army reinforced the necessity for all personnel to strictly follow the established Rules of Engagement.
This directive was delivered during a regimental visit to the Katsina base by a delegation led by Warrant Officer S.Y. Ibrahim, the Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM).
While touring the Brigade’s operational areas, Ibrahim also stressed that the Nigerian Army remains strictly apolitical, firmly warning soldiers to steer clear of partisan politics.
He noted that the primary goal of the visit was to provide mentorship and professional guidance to sharpen discipline and regimental order among the troops.
According to Ibrahim, the mission is part of a broader push by the Nigerian Army to bolster professional standards across all units.
He said that, “The visit is being undertaken at the directive of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Waidi Shaibu, as part of an ongoing regimentation drive, aimed at strengthening the role of RSM in mentoring soldiers and upholding the Army’s core values.”
During an open session with the troops, the visiting RSMs touched on several factors critical to being an effective soldier.
The conversation covered the responsible use of social media, proper behavior at checkpoints, and the importance of keeping military documents secure. The delegation also urged the soldiers to keep their warrior ethos sharp and maintain a resilient fighting spirit.
The dialogue moved into administrative territory as well, covering topics like pay, allowances, and the protocols for taking leave or handling cases of Absence Without Official Leave (AWOL).
Furthermore, the team highlighted the duty of soldiers to protect vulnerable members of the military family, such as widows. They also reiterated the Army’s strict zero-tolerance stance on any form of sexual exploitation or abuse during operations.
Other warnings were issued regarding personal conduct, with a focus on avoiding social vices like gambling, cultism, drug abuse, and excessive drinking, all of which can erode military discipline.
The delegation emphasized that Senior Non-Commissioned Officers carry the heavy responsibility of mentoring younger soldiers to keep these standards high.
Brig.-Gen. Ishaya Ibrahim, Commander of the 17 Brigade, thanked the Chief of Army Staff for launching the initiative and recognized the vital role RSMs play in keeping the force disciplined.
He promised that the brigade would remain dedicated to the Chief of Army Staff’s vision while maintaining peak operational effectiveness.
