17 Brigade (Nigeria)

17 Brigade
Active20 February 2018-present
Country Nigeria
Branch Nigerian Army
RoleInternal security
SizeBrigade
Part of1st Division
Garrison/HQKatsina
Commanders
Current
commander
Brigadier general Lukman T. Omoniyi

The 17 Brigade is a military formation of the Nigerian Army, which was established on 20 February 2018 for internal security duties.[1]

History[edit]

The 17 Brigade was established in December 2017,[2] but was officially commissioned in February 2018.[1] According to Army chief of staff Lieutenant General Tukur Yusuf Buratai, the establishment of the 17 Brigade is part of a wider reorganisation of the Nigerian Army.[3]

Operations[edit]

In 2018, the 17 Brigade conducted two internal security operations: Operation Sharar Daji and Operation Mesa,[4] against armed banditry.[5] In January 2019, the Brigade launched Operation Egwu Eke III in order to complement the other two ongoing operations.[4][6]

Mission[edit]

According to Lieutenant General Buratai, the 17 Brigade was established in order to address issues in the North-West Zone and in the Katsina State identified by the Nigerian Army:[1] cattle rustling, armed robbery and armed banditry.[7] Countering such threats includes carrying out public security duties.[8]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "Army inaugurates 17 Brigade in Katsina". The Eagle Online. 22 February 2018. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  2. ^ Saliu, Olalekan (30 December 2017). "Army reshuffles, redeploys 399 officers". Nextedition.com. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  3. ^ Godwin, Ameh Comrade (23 December 2018). "Insurgency: Nigerian Army restates commitment to protecting children, women in North-East". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  4. ^ a b Olaniyan, Segun (14 January 2019). "Insecurity: Army Inaugurates Strategy To Curb Crime In Katsina". Independent Newspapers Nigeria. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  5. ^ Bello, Bashir (4 November 2018). "Armed bandits, cattle rustlers attack: Gov. Masari orders removal of Katsina Village head Rep". Spiceradio. Archived from the original on 15 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  6. ^ Asemota, Andy (13 January 2019). "Army Launches Additional Operation In Katsina". Leadership Newspaper. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  7. ^ Eyiangho, Johnson (22 February 2018). "Army inaugurates 17 Brigade in Katsina State - SundiataPost". Sundiata Post. Archived from the original on 14 January 2019. Retrieved 14 January 2019.
  8. ^ Mustapha, Mallam (24 February 2018). "The real reason why we established 17 Brigade in Katsina – Buratai". Katsina Post. Retrieved 14 January 2019.