Security
3 Brigade wins inter-brigade combat proficiency competition in Kano
The 3 Brigade, Kano, on Thursday emerged winner in the One Division Inter-Brigade Corporal and Below combat proficiency Competition 2025.
The four days competition was held at 3 Brigade, Bukavu Barracks, Kano, among three formations under one Division of the Nigerian Army.
The Chief Judge, Lt. Col. Mustaheen Edu, who announced the results after the four-day keen contest, said 3 Brigade scored 1,096 points to emerge overall winners of the competition.
He said that 1 Division Kaduna came second with 956.5 and 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna came third with 857 points each.
He said that the formations participated in various activities including drill, weapon handling, combat swimming, map reading, 10 km fitness test, obstacle crossing among others.
Participants who distinguished themselves in various events contested for were given award prizes in the male and female categories.
Winners in each event were presented with trophies, while 31 Artillery Brigade, Minna was given a wooden spoon having emerged third position.
Speaking during the closing ceremony, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division, Maj.-Gen. Mayerinso Saraso, emphasised the importance of training in the Army.
Saraso noted that the annual competition was organized to test the endurance, improving junior leadership skills, and instilling discipline and initiative among Non-Commissioned Officers (NCOs) within a specified rank bracket in the Division.
He said that the exercise also seeks to enhance combat proficiency, marksmanship, and physical fitness through regular training.
“It is in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s (COAS) Command Philosophy, which is “To consolidate the transformation of the Nigerian Army towards bequeathing a well-motivated and combat-ready force that can effectively discharge its constitutional responsibilities within a joint and multi-agency environment.
“The competition featured three formations, all drawn from 1 Division. Each formation—3 Brigade, 1 Division Garrison, and 31 Artillery Brigade—nominated 55 participants to take part in the event.
“Judging by the enthusiasm and preparedness of the participants for the concluding event, it is evident that the objectives of the competition have been largely achieved, based on the outcomes recorded in the earlier events,” he said.
The special guest of honor, Air Cmdre Sani Zakari Rtd, urged the participants whose best was not good enough to accept their position in the spirit of sportsmanship and return to training with renewed determination, as the road to the future remains a continuous journey.
He said that the Nigerian Army, under the visionary leadership of the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, continued to forge ahead in its drive for professionalism and excellence.
Zakari urged the troops to sustain effective training, which remains the best form of welfare.
“This aligns with the popular quote by the late American General, Herbert Norman Schwarzkopf Jr., who said: “The more you sweat in peacetime, the less you bleed during war,” he added.
Zakari appreciated the GOC Maj.-Gen. Mayerinso Saraso, for organising the event, which has direct impact on junior leadership development.
He also commended the Commander of 3 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Tukur for providing such excellent training facilities.
“General, you have done well. Your organising team is a testament to your commendable leadership. I encourage you to sustain the momentum,” he said.
The Commander, 3 Brigade, Brig.-Gen. Ahmed Tukur said the competition was organised to foster team spirit and enhance the combat readiness of officers in preparation for future operations.
He said the objectives of the four-day competition were successfully achieved.
Tukur commended the participants for their performance and urged them to remain committed and productive in their assigned duties.
The commander also appreciated the team of umpires and heads of other security agencies who witnessed the exercise.
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Police Reform Project III: Kano commits to citizen-led security approach
Kano State Government says it has renewed its commitment to a citizen-led security approach as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen community policing and improve public safety across the state.
Mrs Maimuna Sherif, Special Adviser on Community Policing to Gov. Abba Yusuf, stated this at the stakeholders meeting on improving police community relations organised by the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) on Friday in Kano.
Sherif said the administration was deepening its engagement with community structures to boost intelligence gathering and enhance collaboration between residents and security agencies.
She said Kano’s large population and social diversity require a policing model that empowers citizens as active partners in the state’s security architecture.
“Our communities know the environment, they know the people, and their support provides critical information that helps security agencies identify criminal hideouts,” Sherif said.
The special adviser also disclosed that the government was finalising arrangements to establish a Security Trust Fund to mobilise resources from the public and private sectors to support security operations.
Speaking earlier, the Executive Director of VAI, Mr Musa Aboki, said the Police Reform Project builds on earlier phases implemented in Bauchi and Zamfara, with similar interventions underway in two South-East states.
Aboki explained that Phase III features community scorecard assessments, intra-dialogue sessions and follow-up engagements aimed at addressing gaps in trust between the police and the public.
He said previous assessments revealed concerns such as bribery, slow police response, confidentiality issues, traffic indiscipline among some officers and reluctance by residents to volunteer intelligence.
According to him, many of the challenges undermining community policing are shared responsibilities between citizens and the police.
He added that gaps in early warning and early response systems remained key concerns, stressing the need for timely reporting of threats of violence or criminal activity.
Speaking also, the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO), Kano State Police Command, CSP Abdullahi Kiyawa, said that the Police would partner with the Voluntary Aid Initiative (VAI) to strengthen police-community relations and promote mutual accountability across the state.
He said the collaboration was part of the Police Reform Initiative Project aimed at enhancing trust and cooperation between security agencies and the public.
Represented by ASP , Muhammad Jawad, explained that the initiative involved a series of meetings and engagements with communities in Rano and Gwale Local Government Areas, focusing on improving understanding and collaboration between the police and residents.
The Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) in Dorayi Babba community of Gwale Local Government Area, Alhaji Auwal Garba, stated that fewer than 500,000 police officers were responsible for securing more than 220 million Nigerians.
He said the disparity highlighted the importance of community involvement in maintaining law and order.
“Community policing enables citizens to participate in the security structure. Through vigilantes and early reporting of suspicious activities, the community becomes a partner in sustaining peace,” he said.
Garba reaffirmed commitment of the PCRC to work with the government, security agencies and civil society groups to strengthen community policing initiatives across the state
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Brig.-Gen. Samaila Mohammed Uba, a Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (FNIPR) and seasoned strategic communication expert, has assumed office as the new Director of Defence Information (DDI).
The handover ceremony, which held at the Defence Headquarters (DHQ), followed a recent reorganisation within the Armed Forces of Nigeria.
Uba, who holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication from Bayero University, Kano (BUK), succeeded Brig.-Gen. Tukur Gusau, whom he commended for his achievements during his tenure.
In his inaugural address, the new DDI pledged to reposition the directorate under four key priorities — unity of purpose, timeliness and transparency, digital innovation, and media collaboration.
He also lauded his predecessor for his service and wished him success in his future endeavours.
Born on July 1, 1968, in Tudun Wada, Nassarawa Local Government Area of Kano State, Uba began his military career at the Nigerian Defence Academy as part of Short Service Combatant Course 30 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on March 13, 1993.
He initially served in the Directorate of Army Public Relations before transferring to the Infantry Corps.
His educational background includes Tudun Wada Primary School and Saint Thomas Secondary School, Kano, where he obtained his First School Leaving Certificate and West African School Certificate in 1981 and 1986, respectively.
He later bagged a Post-Graduate Diploma in Public Administration from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration in 2009 and a Master’s degree in Strategic and Development Studies from the Bangladesh University of Professionals in 2019.
Uba attended several military courses, including the Senior Staff Course at the Ghana Armed Forces Command and Staff College and the National Defence Course at the National Defence College, Bangladesh.
He held several command, staff, and instructional appointments such as Officer in Charge of Administration at the Infantry Centre and School, Commander 401 Special Forces Brigade, Borno, and Public Relations Officer for the Nigerian Contingent to the UN Assistance Mission in Rwanda.
He also served as Public Relations Officer to a former Chief of Army Staff, and later as a directing staff and Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College (AFCSC), Jaji.
Uba was seconded to the Nigeria Customs Command and Staff College, Gwagwalada, as the Defence Headquarters Training Team Leader, where he trained customs officers in command and staff duties.
He also served as Deputy Director, Peacekeeping Operations, and Director, Personnel Services, at the Army Headquarters, before becoming Director, Department of Joint Studies, AFCSC, Jaji.
A recipient of numerous awards, Uba holds the Grand Service Star, Distinguished Service Star, Field Command Medal, Passed Staff Course (Double Dagger ++), National Defence College (Bangladesh) medal, Nigerian Army Outstanding Tactical Command Medal, and Chief of Army Staff Commendation Award Medal.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, Nigerian Institute of Management, Nigerian Army Resource Centre, and Nigerian Society of International Affairs.
Brig.-Gen. Uba is married with children and enjoys playing squash and reading.
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