BY: ABDULKADIR M LAWAN

Navy Commodore Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi, who demonstrated bravery during the devastating September 10th Maiduguri flood disaster, has been decorated with his new rank.

The ceremony, which took place on Friday at the Nigeria Army Officer's Mess, Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, also honored 21 other senior military officers with new ranks.

Commodore Abdullahi played a crucial role in coordinating rescue operations and providing aid to those affected by the disaster, which displaced over a million people and caused widespread destruction.

Theatre Commander Joint Task Force, North East, Operation Hadin Kai, Maj. Gen. Waidi Shuibu, urged the newly promoted officers to develop innovative strategies to address the region's complex security challenges.

'You now manage complex problems, and in managing complex problems, there are a lot of stakeholders that you need to engage with in order to find solutions,' Gen. Shuiabu said.

The decorated officers include seven colonels promoted to brigadier generals, one navy captain to commodore, and 14 lieutenant colonels to colonels.

Permanent Secretary Government House, Security and Cabinet, Barr. Mustapha Ali Busuguma, congratulated the officers on their well-deserved elevation and wished them success in addressing the state's security challenges.

'I extend the gratitude of the government and people of the state for the well-deserved elevation. I congratulate the senior officers on their new roles and wish them success in defeating all forms of security challenges confronting the State,' Barr. Busuguma said.

In an interview with journalist, Navy Commodore Abdullahi pledged to rededicate himself to protecting the country's territorial integrity and restoring normalcy to the North East and other theaters of operation.

'I want to assure Mr. President, Commander-in-Chief of continued loyalty and perseverance in ensuring that we bring peace not only to the North East region but the entire country,' Commodore Abdullahi said.

Brief profile of Navy Commodore Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi

Navy Commodore Mohammed Ahmed Abdullahi is a distinguished naval officers with a remarkable career spanning over two decades.

He is a member of the 47 Regular Combatant Course in the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) and was commissioned in August 2000 as a Sub Lieutenant into the Nigerian Navy.

Commodore Abdullahi has completed several domestic and international courses, including the National Defence College (NDC Course 29) Abuja-Nigeria, where he bagged the Chief of Naval Staff award for best research paper on Maritime Operations in 2020/2021.

He emerged First in Order of merit/best all-round participant of NDC Course 29.

Throughout his career, Commodore Abdullahi has held several appointments, including Principal Staff Officer (Navy) at the Office of the National Security Adviser, Chief Instructor at the DMW-AFCSC Jaji, and Commanding Officer of NNS UNITY. He is currently serving as Chief J9 DHQ JTF (NE) OPHK Maiduguri.

Commodore Abdullahi is happily married with five children. His hobbies include playing soccer, table tennis, reading books on security and ancient history.