“No Soldier Should Die Waiting For Help!” — COAS Shaibu Unveils Kaduna Helipad For Rapid Battlefield Evacuation
By Passman Akpos
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned a new helipad at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (44 NARH), Kaduna, in a move aimed at significantly improving the emergency evacuation of wounded soldiers from operational theatres.
The facility, commissioned on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, is expected to strengthen the Nigerian Army’s capacity to transport injured personnel rapidly from frontline areas to definitive medical care.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the helipad as a strategic intervention designed to reduce casualty evacuation time and improve the survival prospects of soldiers wounded in combat.
According to the COAS, speed is critical in military medicine, particularly where troops sustain life-threatening injuries during operations.
“The ability to move our wounded personnel from the frontlines to definitive medical care within the shortest possible time is non-negotiable. This helipad bridges that gap,” Shaibu said.
The Army Chief stressed that rapid medical evacuation is not only essential to saving lives but also plays a significant role in improving recovery outcomes and sustaining troop morale amid ongoing military operations.
He noted that the ability to provide prompt access to advanced medical treatment remains an important component of effective military healthcare and operational readiness.
OLUYede’s LEGACY PROJECT
The newly commissioned helipad was initiated under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended General Oluyede for what he described as his foresight and commitment to the welfare of Nigerian troops.
The COAS said the project would serve as a lasting contribution to military healthcare delivery while strengthening the Army’s overall operational effectiveness.
The development comes as Nigerian troops continue to operate in various theatres of operation where rapid access to medical facilities can be decisive in the treatment and survival of wounded personnel.
COAS ORDERS ROUND-THE-CLOCK READINESS
To ensure that the facility delivers its intended purpose, Lieutenant General Shaibu directed the relevant medical and aviation units to maintain the helipad in a state of round-the-clock operational readiness.
He also stressed the importance of proper maintenance and effective utilisation of the facility whenever emergency evacuation becomes necessary.
The commissioning represents another step toward integrating rapid air evacuation into the Nigerian Army’s military healthcare response, particularly for personnel injured in remote or active operational areas.
The Army said the initiative is ultimately aimed at ensuring that wounded soldiers receive definitive medical attention as quickly as possible—potentially making the difference between life and death.
The commissioning was announced by Colonel Appolonia Anele, Acting Director, Army Public Relations, on August 25, 2026.
