In this article, we’ll be presenting some of the Nigerian Army Rules and Regulations. If you’ve been searching for information on the rules and regulations governing the Nigerian Army, your quest ends here. This is one of the few blogs that provides comprehensive insights into this subject.
Before we delve into the primary focus of this article, which is to explore the rules and regulations, let’s begin with a brief overview of the organization itself, including its history and other pertinent information.
Nigerian Army
The Nigerian Army, often abbreviated as NA, stands as the principal land force within the Nigerian Armed Forces, with governance provided by the Nigerian Army Council (NAC). At its helm is the Chief of Army Staff, holding the highest military rank within the Nigerian Army.
The origins of the Nigerian Army can be traced back to the Constabulary Force established in 1863 under the leadership of Lieutenant John Hawley Glover. This force primarily consisted of liberated Hausa slaves and was created with the primary objective of safeguarding the Royal Niger Company and its assets from ongoing military threats posed by the neighboring Ashanti Empire. Over time, this policing force expanded both in size and capability to fulfill the requirements of the British Empire in West Africa. It eventually served as the foundation for the Gold Coast and the Hausa Constabulary, which later evolved into the Ghana Regiment and Southern Nigeria Regiment, respectively, by 1879. In 1900, these regiments were integrated into the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF) under the administration of the British Colonial Office. This restructuring occurred following British military experiences, including the Benin Expedition of 1897, and wider efforts to reorganize their African colonial units, paralleling the Egyptian Army’s overhaul earlier that year. During World War II, Nigerian troops, trained by the British, played crucial roles within the 1st (West Africa) Infantry Brigade, the 81st, and the 82nd (West Africa) Divisions. These divisions were actively engaged in the East African Campaign (World War II) and operations in the Far East.
In recent history, the Nigerian Army has been organized into several formations, each with specific responsibilities and locations. Notable divisions include the 1st Division, headquartered in Kaduna in the north-west, and the 2nd Division with its headquarters in Ibadan in the South-West, which encompasses units like the 32 Artillery Brigade in Abeokuta. The 3rd Division, stationed at Rukuba Cantonment in Jos, oversees units such as the 21 Armoured Brigade in Maiduguri, 23 Brigade in Yola, and the 33 Artillery Brigades.
Furthermore, the Nigerian Army includes the 81st Division (Amphibious) based in Lagos, which comprises the 9 Brigade situated at Ikeja Cantonment, and the 82nd Division (Airborne and Amphibious) headquartered in Enugu. The 82nd Division encompasses the 2 Brigade in Port Harcourt, 13 Brigade in Calabar, and the 34th Artillery Brigade in Obinze/Owerri. Lagos and Abuja host garrison commands, with Lagos having the size and capacity of a division.
The 7th Division, also known as JTF-RO, was established in August 2013 to combat the Boko Haram insurgency, based in Maiduguri. Additionally, there are Divisional Artillery Brigades, ordnance corps units, Combat Engineer Regiments, and various service support units dispersed across the country.
In a significant event on April 27, 2023, the Nigerian Army conducted an extensive Presentation of Colors ceremony on Eagle Square, Abuja. This ceremony involved the issuance of 53 new colors to existing units and 28 colors to newly established units, totaling 81 colors presented, marking a remarkable moment in the Army’s history.
The Nigerian Army, as of 2016, comprised approximately 6,000 officers and 150,000 enlisted personnel. It operates under the governance of the Nigerian Army Council (NAC). The army’s organizational structure is designed to serve various functions, categorized into combat arms, combat support arms, and combat support services. The combat arms encompass infantry and armored units, while the combat support arms include artillery, engineers, signals, and intelligence divisions. Additionally, the combat support services consist of vital entities like the Nigerian Army Medical Corps, supply and transport units, ordnance, and finance departments. Other integral components encompass military police, physical training, chaplains, public relations, and the Nigerian Army Band Corps.
The Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC) situated in Minna holds responsibility for doctrinal development, training, combat development, and the oversight of training centers. Within the army, there are 17 Corps Training Schools and the Nigerian Army College of Logistics (NACOL), which contribute to the development and training of personnel.
The Nigerian Army’s establishment of the 6th Division in Port Harcourt served to enhance its internal security operations across four Niger Delta states. This division’s jurisdiction covers the 2nd Brigade in Akwa Ibom, the 16th Brigade in Bayelsa, and the 63rd Brigade in Delta. Its headquarters are located in Port Harcourt, a strategic move aimed at addressing challenges such as militant activities, banditry, inter-communal clashes, illegal bunkering, kidnapping, robberies, Niger Delta Avengers, and pipeline vandalism that have adversely affected the region’s security and the national economy.
Nigerian Army Rules And Regulations (List)
- No support for arson, vandalism, or unprofessional conduct.
- Troops must intervene to maintain peace and order in their deployed areas.
- Armed forces to suppress insurrection and aid civil authorities when directed by the President.
- Emphasis on minimum force and proportionality in operations.
- Efforts to control situations through non-violent means are encouraged.
- Lethal force only as a last resort or in the face of unexpected attacks.
- Force applied should be limited in intensity and duration.
- Decision to open fire made by on-scene commanders.
- Controlled and aimed fire; indiscriminate firing is prohibited.
- Use of force to stop vehicles at checkpoints as a last resort.
- Providing medical assistance and documenting incidents is mandatory.
- Seek clarification from higher authorities when in doubt.
- Must maintain a high standard of personal hygiene and cleanliness.
- Personnel must wear their uniforms correctly and in accordance with the dress code regulations.
- Must not carry out any civilian employment or business without the permission of their commanding officer.
- Personnel must not engage in any political activities.
- Personnel must not gamble or engage in other forms of activities that may bring discredit.
- Personnel must not consume alcohol or drugs while on duty.
- Must not disclose classified information to unauthorized persons.
- Personnel must not use their position for personal gain.
- Must not disobey a lawful order from a superior officer.
- Personnel must not desert their post or duty.
- Must not strike or engage in any other form of industrial action.
In addition to these specific rules and regulations, Nigerian Army personnel are also expected to adhere to the following general principles:
- Honesty
- Integrity
- Loyalty
- Discipline
- Respect
- Selflessness
- Courage
- Professionalism
Nigerian Army personnel who violate these rules and regulations may be subject to disciplinary action, which can range from a reprimand to dismissal from service.
The information contained herein is derived from data obtained from sources believed by the author to be reliable and in good faith, but no guarantees are made regarding the accuracy, completeness, or suitability of the content, and the post may be updated from time to time without notice.