Brigadier-General Nicholas Rume has taken over as the 23rd Commander of the 22 Armoured Brigade, Nigerian Army, Ilorin, pledging to intensify the fight against banditry and insecurity across Kwara and neighbouring states.
His appointment followed a recent redeployment of senior officers approved by the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede. The handover ceremony between Rume and his predecessor, Brigadier-General Ezra Bawa Barkins, was held at the Brigade Headquarters, Sobi Cantonment, on Thursday.
According to the statement by Captain Stephen Nwankwo, Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, the event featured the signing of handover notes, a farewell address, and the symbolic presentation of the command flag. The ceremony concluded with the hoisting of a new Brigade flag, marking the start of Rume’s leadership.
In his farewell remarks, Barkins thanked the Army leadership and commended troops for their professionalism, urging them to remain disciplined and support the new Commander.
Rume, in his address, promised to build on past achievements and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies to ensure peace and stability in the region.
“Fighting insecurity requires teamwork, discipline, and professionalism,” he said. “We will work with all stakeholders to secure lives and property across Kwara, Kogi, and Niger States.”
He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to ongoing counter-banditry, anti-kidnapping, and anti-illegal mining operations in the North Central region.
