COAS Commissions Helipad To Boost Emergency Evacuation of Wounded Soldiers im Kaduna
By Zagazola Makama
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, on Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2026, commissioned a new helipad at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital (44 NARH), Kaduna, as part of efforts to strengthen emergency medical evacuation for wounded soldiers from operational theatres.
The facility is expected to significantly reduce the time required to evacuate critically wounded personnel from the frontline to definitive medical care, thereby improving their chances of survival and recovery.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Shaibu described the helipad as a strategic intervention designed to address one of the critical challenges associated with casualty evacuation during military operations.
According to him, the ability to rapidly move wounded troops from operational areas to specialised medical facilities is essential to sustaining the fighting strength and morale of personnel.
“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,” the COAS said.
He noted that timely medical intervention could make the difference between life and death in cases involving severe battlefield injuries.
The Army Chief said the facility would complement existing military medical evacuation arrangements and provide a dedicated landing point for helicopters transporting casualties directly to the 44 NARH.
He further emphasised that effective healthcare for wounded personnel remained a key component of operational effectiveness, adding that soldiers who risk their lives in the defence of the nation must have confidence that they would receive prompt and quality medical attention when injured.
The COAS disclosed that the helipad was initiated under the leadership of the current Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
Shaibu commended Oluyede for his foresight and commitment to improving the welfare of troops, describing the project as a lasting contribution to military healthcare delivery.
He said the facility demonstrated the importance of sustained investment in medical infrastructure to support troops deployed in various operational theatres across the country.
The COAS subsequently directed the medical and aviation authorities responsible for the facility to ensure its round-the-clock operational readiness.
He also charged them to maintain the helipad and associated infrastructure to the highest standards to guarantee its availability whenever emergency evacuation missions become necessary.
The commissioning comes as the Nigerian Army continues to conduct counter-insurgency and other internal security operations across the country, where troops are periodically exposed to combat-related injuries and other emergencies requiring rapid evacuation.
The 44 NARH, Kaduna, remains one of the Nigerian Army’s major referral medical facilities for the treatment and rehabilitation of military personnel.
The new helipad is therefore expected to strengthen the hospital’s capacity to receive casualties directly by air and further enhance the Army’s broader system of battlefield medical support.
