The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has inspected the newly established Headquarters 7 Brigade in Oyo, Oyo State, and 137 Battalion in Ile-Ife, Osun State, as part of efforts to ensure their effective take-off.
In a statement, Acting Deputy Director 2 Division Army Public Relations Lieut. Col. Danjuma Jonah Danjuma said Mahmuda conducted the inspection on October 1, 2026, as part of his broader assessment of the formations and to ensure that troops settle in and immediately commence their constitutional responsibilities across the two states.
The GOC, who was received in Ile-Ife by the Commanding Officer, 137 Battalion, Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Okwujiako, addressed troops at both locations and charged them to maintain discipline, professionalism and proactive conduct in the discharge of their duties.
He urged the personnel to be conscious of their conduct and protect the image and reputation of the Nigerian Army, warning that acts of unprofessionalism would not be tolerated.
Mahmuda said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, expected all personnel to maintain exemplary standards of conduct and foster effective civil-military relations with their host communities.
He explained that the establishment of the new formations and units was part of the Army’s effort to increase its presence on the ground and strengthen its capacity to respond effectively to contemporary security challenges.
The GOC also highlighted ongoing efforts to improve troops’ welfare, describing the initiatives as part of the COAS’s Soldiers First concept.
He urged the troops to reciprocate the welfare initiatives through renewed commitment to duty and by denying criminal elements freedom of action within their areas of responsibility.
At Ile-Ife, community leaders led by Sooko Adegboyega Ogunwusi, Sooko Laukun of Ife, expressed appreciation to the Nigerian Army for establishing 137 Battalion in the town.
The community leaders also commended the Chief of Army Staff and the GOC for the establishment of the new unit, saying its presence would strengthen security cooperation within the community.
The visit was part of the 2 Division leadership’s efforts to assess operational locations and ensure the new formations and units are positioned to effectively discharge their mandates in Oyo and Osun states.
