BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Army Council has approved the granting of Executive Commission to 79NA/21553 Master Warrant Officer Garba Abdullahi of 159 Battalion, Nigerian Army, to the rank of Captain.
The approval of the accelerated promotion is in recognition and reward for what the Army Council described as his art of gallantry, unprecedented show of bravery, courage and selfless service.
A statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Sani Usman further said the accelerated promotion was due to observed outstanding qualities of military professionalism such as gallantry and dedication to service demonstrated by the Non-Commissioned Officer.
Usman said Garba Abdullahi’s leadership qualities endeared him to 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, the role he played excellently to the admiration of both his superiors and subordinates alike.
According to Usman; “Under his able leadership, his platoon achieved great exploits of daring, bravery and courage for which the Battalion was reputed.
“The 159 Battalion is of one the rugged and most experienced cohesive fighting unit that make up Operation LAFIYA DOLE. The Battalion 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.
“The Battalion primarily occupies a blocking position from where it conducts Counter Terrorist and Counter Insurgency operations to defeat Boko Haram terrorists, deny them freedom of action and assist the civil authority in maintenance of law and order and restoration of socio-economic activities within its area of responsibility.”
The Army spokesman further said that since its deployment into the theatre about two years ago, the unit has contributed immensely to the decimation of Boko Haram terrorists and also involved in humanitarian activities to the host communities.
He explained that the elevated Garba has played a significant role in all the successful operations achieved by the unit, adding that the newly commissioned 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 also said that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TY Buratai has congratulated the newly commissioned officer.
