The Nigerian Army on Thursday formally pulled out 18 senior officers of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport (NACST) following their retirement after 35 years of service.

The colourful pulling-out parade marked the end of a three-day conference held in Benin, the Edo State capital, with the theme, “Optimising Supply and Transport Capabilities Towards Providing Effective Service Delivery to NA Operations in All Missions.”

Speaking at the ceremony, the Corps Commander, Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Shagaya, said the retired officers comprised four Major Generals and 14 Brigadier Generals.

He noted that the officers had served the nation with dedication from the time of their commissioning until retirement, describing the event as both a celebration and recognition of their contributions.

“It is a joyous moment for the Corps of Supply and Transport, as current and former Corps Commanders are present to honour and celebrate these distinguished officers,” he said.

Shagaya explained that the pulling-out parade is a longstanding military tradition that provides an opportunity to celebrate years of service and sacrifice, while also commending the Chief of Army Staff for recognising the retirees’ contributions.

Speaking on behalf of the retired officers, Maj.-Gen. Olaniyi Dare said their careers spanned several decades, during which they served in various operational, command, and administrative roles.

He emphasised the critical role of the Corps of Supply and Transport in sustaining military operations across different theatres.

“We were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that soldiers deployed across various theatres of operation are adequately sustained,” he said.

Dare added that the corps consistently delivered reliable logistics support during training, peace support missions, and internal security operations both within and outside the country.

“As we transition into retirement, we recognise that while we may be leaving active service, our commitment to the ideals and values of the Nigerian Army remains steadfast,” he said.

He also paid tribute to the families of the retired officers, acknowledging their sacrifices and support throughout their years of service.

The ceremony, he noted, provided an opportunity to reflect on decades of dedication, sacrifice, and commitment to national defence.