The Nigerian Army bid a final farewell to Brigadier General Saidu Tafida, a distinguished infantry officer, on 29 January 2025. His remains were laid to rest at the NDA Old Site Cemetery in Ribadu Cantonment, Kaduna State, with full military honours.

In a heartfelt tribute, the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede NAM, represented by Major General Mayirenso Lander David Saraso Saraso, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 1 Division and Sector 1 Commander Operations FANSAN YAMMA, praised Brigadier General Tafida’s exemplary career. “He was a confident, industrious, result-oriented, and outstanding infantry officer with impeccable integrity and a consistent will to undertake additional tasks.”

Born on 6 March 1975, Brigadier General Tafida hailed from Zaria Local Government Area of Kaduna State. His academic journey began at Therbow Primary School, Zaria and continued at the Nigerian Military School also in Zaria. He later attended the Nigerian Defence Academy, where he was commissioned into the Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army in Sept 2000.

Throughout his 25-year service, Brig Gen Tafida pursued excellence in military training and education. He attended various professional courses, including the Young Officers’ Course Infantry, Company Commanders’ Course Infantry, and the Higher Military Strategy and Management Course at the Army War College Nigeria. He also earned multiple Master’s degrees and was a Certified Training Professional.

Brigadier General Tafida held numerous command, instructional and staff appointments, including Instructor at the Nigerian Defence Academy, Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, and Commanding Officer of 102 Guards Battalion. He also served at the United Nations Headquarters, New York, as a Military Training Officer.

His last appointments were as Director of Training at the Martin Luther Agwai International Leadership and Peacekeeping Centre, Assistant Director at Defence Headquarters, and Director of Administration at the Nigerian Army College of Logistics and Management.