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…warns soldiers against compromising standards
The newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Adebayo Abdulrahman Babalola has issued a stern warning to officers and soldiers of the division not to compromise standards for any reason.
He noted that anybody who lowers the guard, would have him to contend with.
He took over as the 26th GOC from his predecessor, Major General Farouk Mijinyawa at a grand handover ceremony at the Headquarters 81 Division, 3 Kofo Abayomi Street, Victoria Island, Lagos on Tuesday, 20th January, 2026.
In his inaugural speech, Major General Babalola expressed gratitude to God Almighty and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the privilege and trust placed on him to command the Division.
However, he pledged to sustain high professional standards and build on the achievements of his predecessor, who has been redeployed to Army headquarters, Abuja.
According to the Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, 81 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Musa Yahaya in a statement in Lagos, remarked that the tenure of Major General Farouk Mijinyawa, witnessed significant security advancements and economic growth within the Division’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The new GOC also appealed to officers and soldiers to extend the same cooperation and loyalty they showed his predecessor, as he began his tenure.
Major General Mijinyawa, the outgone GOC, thanked God and the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to serve.
He highlighted key achievements, including enhanced operational readiness, improved security, reduced illegal activities, and improved discipline among personnel. He urged personnel to support his successor, in the interest of the Nigerian Army and the nation.
Major General Babalola is a seasoned officer with exceptional leadership qualities, born on 16th June, 1973. A graduate of the 44th Regular Course of the prestigious Nigerian Defence Academy, he holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Political Science and Defence Studies, and a Master of Science Degree in Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice from Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.
He has held various command, staff, instructional and extra-regimental appointment, including Military Observer in Darfur, Defence Attaché in Cotonou, and Directing Staff and later Chief Instructor at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College Jaji.
He was Commanding Officer 212 Tank Battalion Maiduguri and also Commander 22 Armoured Brigade in Ilorin. His last appointment was Director Defence Liaison at the National Assembly. He has participated in numerous operations, including MNJTF, UNMIL, UNAMID, Operations BOYONA, ZAMAN LAFIA and LAFIYA DOLE.
The handover ceremony featured an address to troops by the outgone GOC, signing of handover and taking over notes, decoration of the new GOC with the Division insignia, and hoisting of the new GOC’s flag to signal the commence of a new era.
