Nigeria Army promotes warrant officer to captain

-Army approves accelerated promotion for officer from warrant officer to captain.

-The officer is been rewarded for gallant performances against Boko Haram in operation Lafiya Dole.

The Nigerian Army Council has approved accelerated promotion and commissioning of Master Warrant Officer Garba Abdullahi to the rank of captain as a reward for his gallant efforts in the fight against insurgents in the North East.

A statement on Thursday by the Army spokesman Brigadier General Sani Usman said: “In recognition and reward for gallantry, unprecedented show of bravery, courage and selfless service, the Army Council on Monday 16th October 2017, approved the granting of Executive Commission to 79NA/21553 Master Warrant Officer Garba Abdullahi of 159 Battalion, Nigerian Army, to the rank of Captain for gallantry.”

He disclosed that Garba Abdullahi’s leadership qualities, so much impressed his Commanding Officer who deemed it fit to assign him a higher responsibility as platoon commander of one of the arrow head sub-units of the Battalion.

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Under his leadership, his platoon achieved great exploits of daring, bravery and courage for which the Battalion was reputed and this earned him further accolades and admiration from both his superiors and subordinates.

Usman explained that the 159 Battalion is one of the most experienced cohesive fighting unit that makes up Operation Lafiya Dole which covers five Local Government Areas in Yobe State and serves as the Brigade’s first line of defence in the northern front adjoining Niger Republic and Borno State.

He said the Battalion primarily occupies a blocking position from where it conducts Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency operations to defeat Boko Haram terrorists.

Usman said since their deployment into the theatre about two years ago, the unit has distinguished itself in fighting insurgents, defending the community as well as providing humanitarian services to the host communities, with the elevated Abdullahi playing vital roles in all of the assignments.

He revealed Garba Abdullahi has since been decorated with the badge of his new rank of Captain at the Battalion Headquarters located in Geidam, Yobe State by his Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel Owoicho Augustine Obochi, to the admiration of both officers and soldiers of the unit.

He added that, “The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai has congratulated the newly commissioned officer.”