RismadarVoice Reporters
August 25, 2026
The Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, has commissioned a new helipad at the 44 Nigerian Army Reference Hospital in Kaduna to facilitate the rapid evacuation of wounded soldiers from operational theatres.
The facility, commissioned on Tuesday, is expected to reduce the time required to transport injured personnel from the frontlines to definitive medical care and improve their chances of survival.
Speaking at the ceremony, Lieutenant General Shaibu described the helipad as a strategic intervention in military healthcare, stressing that rapid medical evacuation is critical to saving lives, improving recovery and sustaining troop morale.
The Chief of Army Staff said the ability to move wounded personnel from operational areas to medical facilities within the shortest possible time remains non-negotiable.
The project was initiated under the leadership of the current Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, during his tenure as Chief of Army Staff.
Lieutenant General Shaibu commended General Oluyede for his foresight and commitment to the welfare of troops, describing the project as a lasting contribution to military healthcare and operational effectiveness.
The COAS directed the medical and aviation units to ensure round-the-clock readiness and proper maintenance of the facility for effective utilisation whenever required.
