View source for Presidential Guards Brigade (Nigeria)

{{Short description|Elite brigade responsible for protecting the Nigerian president}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2023}}
{{Infobox military unit
| unit_name                     = Presidential Guards Brigade
| image                         = File:The Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh inspecting the Guard of Honour, at a Ceremonial Reception, at Abuja, Nigeria on October 15, 2007.jpg
| caption                       = Indian Prime Minister [[Manmohan Singh]] inspecting the  Presidential Guard Brigade during his visit to [[Abuja]] in October 2007.
| dates                         = September 1962 – present
| country                       = {{flag|Nigeria}}
| branch                        = [[File:Flag of the Nigerian Army Headquarters.svg|23px]] [[Nigerian Army]]
| type                          = [[Guard of honour]]<br>[[Protective security unit]]
| role                          = [[Air assault]]<br>[[Anti-tank warfare]]<br>[[Bodyguard]]<br>[[Bomb disposal]]<br>[[Close-quarters battle]]<br>[[Counterintelligence]]<br>Counter sudden attacks<br>[[Covert operation]]<br>[[Crowd control]]<br>[[Desert warfare]]<br>[[Force protection]]<br>[[HUMINT]]<br>[[Intelligence assessment]]<br>[[Jungle warfare]]<br>[[Mountain warfare]]<br>[[Patrolling]]<br>[[Public duties]]<br>[[Public security]]<br>[[Raid (military)|Raiding]]<br>[[Reconnaissance]]<br>[[Tracking (Scouting)|Tracking]]<br>[[Urban warfare]]
| size                          = Brigade (3 battalions)
| nickname                      = The Brigade of Guards
| anniversaries                 = Armed Forces Day
| garrison                      = Camp Wu Bassey, [[Abuja]]
| garrison_label                = Headquarters
| commander1                    = Brigadier General Adebisi Onasanya
| notable_commanders            = {{bulleted list|Major General [[Joseph Nanven Garba]]|Major General [[Mamman Jiya Vatsa]]|Colonel [[Mohammed Kaliel]]|Major General [[John Mark Inienger]]|Major General [[Bashir Salihi Magashi]]|Major General [[Babagana Monguno]] }}
| identification_symbol         =
| identification_symbol_label   = Ceremonial Flag
| native_name                   =
}}
The '''Presidential Guards Brigade''' is  the only guard of honour and protective security unit brigade of the [[Nigerian Army]] (NA) responsible for counterintelligence to prevent assassination or sabotage of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa, crowd control in the event of chaos, important ceremonial duties in various ceremonies, protecting the [[President of Nigeria]], public security, and support military operations. The members of the brigade are a group of Nigerian soldiers who guard the residence of the President and his guests, as well as perform ceremonial duties. Also referred to as the '''Brigade of Guards''', this unit, according to ''[[AllAfrica]]'' with reference to a senior army official, "does not answer to Army Headquarters or to the [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]] in any operational matters and its commander is completely integrated into the President's security team."<ref name="allafrica.com"/>
== Composition ==
It is composed of the following smaller units:
* Headquarters
*3 Guards Battalion
*7 Guards Battalion (Lungi Barracks, [[Maitama]])
*26 Guards Battalion
*102 Guards Battalion ([[Suleja]])
*176 Guards Battalion ([[Gwagwalada]])
*177 Guards Battalion ([[Keffi]])
*Guards Brigade Medical Centre (Yakubu Gowon Barracks, Mambilla, [[Asokoro]])
*[[Military band|Guards Brigade Band]]
**Presidential [[Pipes and drums|Pipe Band]]<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.dailytrust.com.ng/how-a-bagpiper-aroused-buharis-interest-in-the-scottish-music.html|title=How a bagpiper aroused Buhari's interest in the Scottish music|first=John Chuks|last=Azu|date=May 22, 2019|website=Daily Trust}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-06-19 |title='The story of bagpipe as part of presidential fleet' |url=https://dailytrust.com/the-story-of-bagpipe-as-part-of-presidential-fleet/ |access-date=2023-07-04 |website=Daily Trust }}</ref>
*Silent Drill Platoon<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo 2019 |url=https://www.cinemalive.com/blog/EMT-2019 |access-date=2023-07-10 |website=CinemaLive }}</ref>
==History==
[[File:Jimmy Carter and Lt. Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo at the welcoming ceremony for President Carter's visit to Nigeria. - NARA - 178581.tif|thumb|President [[Jimmy Carter]] and General [[Olusegun Obasanjo]] at a welcoming ceremony performed by the Guards Brigade.]]
The Presidential Guard Brigade of the Nigerian Army was formed in September 1962 as the Federal Guards. It was created for the purpose of carrying out ceremonial and security duties in [[Lagos]] and [[Abuja]] similar to the role of the British [[Household Division]] in London.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Preventing Coups in Nigeria* (Part 4)|url=http://www.gamji.com/nowa/nowa24.htm|access-date=2018-03-31|website=gamji.com}}</ref> In May 1966, Major General [[Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi]], who was the leader of the [[Military dictatorship in Nigeria|Nigerian military junta]], renamed the Federal Guards to the National Guards. The soldiers who killed Ironsi on 29 July 1966, were drawn from the National Guards unit in Lagos. This operation lead to significant controversy over the [[area of responsibility]] and chain of command within the brigade.<ref name="allafrica.com">{{Cite web|last=Idris|first=Abdullahi|date=1 March 2010|title=Nigeria: How Guards Brigade Operates, By Senior Officer|url=https://allafrica.com/stories/201003010031.html|access-date=16 September 2020|website=Allafrica.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2010/03/yaradua-group-asks-n-assembly-to-summon-coas/|title=Yar'Adua: Group asks N-Assembly to summon COAS|date=March 2, 2010}}</ref>
In late 2018, the brigade was accused of carrying out a massacre in the capital of [[Abuja]] against [[Shia]] Muslims who were members of the [[Islamic Movement (Nigeria)|Islamic Movement in Nigeria]]. The protesters of the IMN who were at the scene were protesting the imprisonment of [[Ibrahim Zakzaky]], a Shia cleric who is the leader of the IMN and has stayed in detention since December 2016. At least 45 IMN protesters were killed in the massacre.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/video/world/africa/100000006196505/nigeria-military-protest-massacre-video.html|title=How an Elite Nigerian Unit Killed Dozens of Protesters|first1=Christoph|last1=Koettl|first2=Emmanuel|last2=Akinwotu|first3=Malachy|last3=Browne|first4=Natalie|last4=Reneau|first5=Ainara|last5=Tiefenthäler|first6=David|last6=Botti|first7=Whitney|last7=Hurst|work=The New York Times |date=July 30, 2019|via=NYTimes.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://amp.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/01/nigerian-soldiers-shoot-dozens-of-peaceful-shia-protesters|title=Nigerian soldiers shoot dozens of peaceful Shia protesters &#124; Nigeria &#124; The Guardian|website=amp.theguardian.com}}</ref>
==Protective duties==
The Guards Brigade provides security for the following individuals in the [[Nigerian presidential line of succession]] and with relevance to the President:
*[[President of Nigeria]]
*[[First Lady of Nigeria]]
*[[Vice President of Nigeria]]
*[[President of the Senate of Nigeria|President of Senate]]
*[[Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria|Speaker House of Representatives]]
*[[Chief Justice of Nigeria]]
It works with the [[Nigeria Police Force]] in securing any area in the [[Federal Capital Territory (Nigeria)|Federal Capital Territory]].
==Ceremonial actions and other traditions==
[[File:Dmitry Medvedev in Nigeria 24 June 2009-1.jpg|thumb|Russian President [[Dmitry Medvedev]] inspecting the Guards Brigade during a visit to Nigeria in June 2009.]]
Members of the brigade stand at the Presidential Villa in [[Aso Rock]] and also raise and lower the national flag at ceremonies and parades. The brigade holds a weekly [[changing of the guard]] ceremony outside [[Aso Villa]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.sunnewsonline.com/guards-brigade-to-hold-weekly-change-of-guard-outside-aso-villa/|title=Guards Brigade to hold weekly change of guard outside Aso Villa|first=Segun|last=Adio|date=August 23, 2017|website=The Sun Nigeria}}</ref> It also mounts the [[guard of honor]] on behalf of the [[Nigerian Armed Forces]] during national events such as the [[Armed Forces Day (Nigeria)|Armed Forces Day]] festivities and the national [[Independence Day (Nigeria)|Independence Day]] Parade. It has also mounted the guard of honor during state arrival ceremonies for foreign dignitaries who undertake [[state visit]]s to Abuja. Dignitaries who have inspected the brigade while on state visits have included [[Dmitry Medvedev]], [[Recep Tayyip Erdoğan]] and [[Jacob Zuma]]. Regular performances also took place at occasions when foreign ambassadors presented their diplomatic credentials to the President, as well as during the official arrival and departure of the State President from various cities, especially those cities in which his official residences were situated.
Other past ceremonial events in which the PG was present include the following:
*In 2010, the brigade solemnly escorted President [[Umaru Yar'Adua]] as he returned to Nigeria shortly before his death.<ref>{{Cite news|date=24 February 2010|title=President Yaradua arrives back from Saudi Arabia throws presidency into confusion|work=Nigerian Muse news|url=https://www.nigerianmuse.com/20100224220606zg/nigeria-watch/president-yaradua-arrives-back-from-saudi-arabia-throws-presidency-into-confusion}}</ref>
*The brigade fired a [[21-gun salute]] during the [[Inauguration of Muhammadu Buhari]] on 29 May 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.informationng.com/2015/05/presidential-inauguration-army-alerts-public-on-firing-of-artillery-guns.html|title=Presidential Inauguration: Army Alerts Public On Firing Of Artillery Guns|date=May 19, 2015}}</ref>
*The brigade's drill unit took part in the August 2019 [[Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo]] alongside the Guards Band.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://websfavourites.com/naija-blog/nigerian-army-bands-display-at-scotlands-international-military-event-is-one-of-the-most-beautiful-things-you-will-watch-on-the-internet-today-video/|title=Nigerian Army Band's display at Scotland's international military event is one of the most beautiful things you will watch on the internet today (video)|last=Admin|date=2019-08-08|website=WebsFavourites.Com|access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.legit.ng/1253368-royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo-nigerian-army-performs-wide-applause.html|title=Video shows Nigerian soldiers performing at UK royal parade to wild applause|last=Omotayo|first=Joseph|date=2019-08-08|website=www.legit.ng|access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.pmnewsnigeria.com/2019/08/09/video-nigerian-militarys-eye-popping-display-in-edinburgh-everyone-is-praising/|title=Video: Nigerian military's eye-popping display in Edinburgh everyone is praising|date=2019-08-09|website=P.M. News|access-date=2019-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/news/through-a-kaleidoscope-the-edinburgh-tattoo-showcase-for-2019|title=Through a Kaleidoscope - The Edinburgh Tattoo showcase for 2019|website=Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo}}</ref>
*During the acting presidency of [[Yemi Osinbajo]] in the spring of 2017, the Guards Band performed special [[Yoruba language|Yoruba]] honor songs every time he returned to the presidential residence.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Guards Brigade's special tunes for Osinbajo|url=https://punchng.com/guards-brigades-special-tunes-for-osinbajo/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Punch Newspapers|date=4 March 2017 }}</ref>
*In 2018, the guards performed a routine during the [[National Day (Cameroon)|National Day]] in [[Cameroon]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Cameroon celebrates military cooperation with Nigeria on 46th National Day|url=https://www.prc.cm/en/news/2846-cameroon-celebrates-military-cooperation-with-nigeria-on-46th-national-day|access-date=2020-10-16|website=www.prc.cm}}</ref>
*In 2017 the Guards Brigade showcased a colorful change of presidential guard's parade in front of the cenotaph in Abuja.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Mutum|first=Ronald|date=23 August 2017|title=Guards Brigade spectacle change of presidential guards' parade|work=Daily trust|url=https://dailytrust.com/guards-brigade-spectacle-change-of-presidential-guards-parade|access-date=December 19, 2020}}</ref>
===Regimental dinner===
The brigade holds an annual regimental dinner at the brigade's [[mess hall]] (nicknamed ''Scorpion Mess'') of the Brigade of Guards. It is usually held at the end of the year and takes place annually. As per protocol, the semi-formal green [[mess dress uniform]] is usually worn by officers and personnel on this occasion. In 2016, a special dinner was held in honor of the victories over [[Boko Haram]], with President Buhari being the guest of honor. During the dinner, the [[Chief of Army Staff (Nigeria)|Chief of Army Staff]], [[Lieutenant general (Nigeria)|Lieutenant General]] [[Tukur Yusuf Buratai]] presented a captured Boko Haram flag, recovered from Camp Zero, to the brigade. President Buhari also for a brief moment directed the Guards Brigade Band.<ref>{{Cite web|title=President Buhari Attends Guards Brigade Dinner Night At Scorpion Mess – NTA.ng – Breaking News, Nigeria, Africa, Worldwide|url=https://www.nta.ng/news/20170101-scorpion/|access-date=2020-10-16}}</ref>
===Sports competition===
The Guards Brigade Sporting Competition is held annually by the brigade as an inter-unit tournament of sports such as: [[association football|football]], [[basketball]], [[volleyball]], [[table tennis]], [[boxing]], [[judo]], [[taekwondo]], and a combat [[relay race]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-09-09|title=2018 Guards Brigade Games: 7 Guard's Battalion emerges winner|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2018/09/2018-guards-brigade-games-7-guards-battalion-emerges-winner/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Vanguard News}}</ref> Units that have participated in the past include 176 Battalion, 177 Guards Battalion, 102 Battalion and the Guards Brigade Garrison.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-01-25|title=Guards Brigade Sports Week 2020: 7 Guards Battalion emerge overall winners; Sports Minister hails spirit of competitiveness.|url=https://securitykingng.org/news/guards-brigade-sports-week-2020-7-guards-battalion-emerge-overall-winners-sports-minister-hails-spirit-of-competitiveness/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Security King Nigeria}}</ref>
==Brigade cemetery==
The Guards Brigade [[cemetery]] located off [[Murtala Muhammed]] Way in Abuja. It serves as a place for the burial of serving and retired brigade personnel. The cemetery was inaugurated in 2017 to commemorate [[Armed Forces Remembrance Day]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2017-01-16|title=Buratai opens Guards Brigade cemetery|url=https://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/01/buratai-opens-guards-brigade-cemetery/|access-date=2020-10-03|website=Vanguard News}}</ref> It was created as part of an initiative by General Buratai, who directed all army formations to set up their own unit cemeteries. The cemetery comprises a cenotaph, memorial hall and guard house for soldiers on duty.<ref>{{Cite news|title=Nigerian Army inaugurates Guards Brigade cemetery – Chronicle.ng|work=Chronicle.ng|url=https://www.chronicle.ng/2017/01/nigerian-army-inaugurates-guards-brigade-cemetery/|access-date=2020-10-16}}</ref>
== Commanders ==
*Brigadier Wellington Duke Bassey (September 1962 – 1968)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Barracks|url=http://www.gamji.com/nowa/nowa52.htm|access-date=2020-10-16|website=www.gamji.com}}</ref>
*Colonel [[Joseph Nanven Garba]] (1968 – February 1976)
*Brigadier [[Mamman Jiya Vatsa]] (February 1976 – 1979)
*Colonel [[Mohammed Kaliel]] (1981–1984)<ref name="bios">{{cite web|date=2004-05-21|title=Arah, Two Others Join All States Board|url=http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2004/05/21/20040521bus14.html|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090817212816/http://www.thisdayonline.com/archive/2004/05/21/20040521bus14.html#|archive-date=2009-08-17|access-date=2010-01-12|publisher=ThisDay}}</ref>
*Lieutenant Colonel Abdulazeez Sabo Aliyu (1984–1985)
*Colonel [[John Mark Inienger]] (1988–1989)
*Brigadier General [[Bashir Salihi Magashi]] (1993–1996)
*Major General [[Babagana Monguno]] (August 2007 – January 2009)
*Brigadier General A.S. Mustapha (2009–2010)
*Major General [[Musa Sani Yusuf]] (2014–2018)
*Brigadier General Umar Thomas Musa (2018 – 4 August 2019)<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-01-16|title=President Buhari receives in new commander guards brigade|url=https://thenationonlineng.net/president-buhari-receives-new-commander-guards-brigade/|access-date=2020-10-16|website=Latest Nigeria News, Nigerian Newspapers, Politics|language=en-US}}</ref>
*Brigadier General [[Mohammed Usman (general)|Mohammed Takuti Usman]] (4 August 2019 – 20 January 2023)
*Brigadier General Aminu Umar (20 January 2023 – 4 July 2023)<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kanu |first=Peace Piak |date=2023-01-20 |title=Guards Brigade: New Commander assumes office in Abuja |url=https://von.gov.ng/new-guards-brigade-commander-assumes-office-in-abuja/ |access-date=2023-02-05 |website=Voice of Nigeria }}</ref>
*Brigadier General Adebisi Olusola Onasanya (4 July 2023 – present)
==See also==
*[[National Ceremonial Guard]]
*[[Brigade of the Guards]]
==References==
{{Reflist}}
== External links ==
* [https://www.nigeriagalleria.com/News/photos-nigeria57-special-parade-by-nigerian-army-presidential-guards-brigade/ (PHOTOS) A Special parade by Nigerian Army Presidential Guards Brigade]
* [https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb-tI-Z-b0g The Cerenonial Changing of the Guard performed by the brigade]
{{Army of Nigeria units}}
[[Category:1962 establishments in Nigeria]]
[[Category:Military units and formations established in 1962]]
[[Category:Guards of honour]]
[[Category:Guards regiments]]
[[Category:Army units and formations of Nigeria]]