The Nigerian Army on Thursday pulled out 18 senior officers of the Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport following their retirement after 35 years of meritorious service.

The colourful pulling-out parade marked the conclusion of a three-day conference held in Benin, the Edo capital.

The conference has as theme “Optimising Supply and Transport Capabilities Towards Providing Effective Service Delivery to NA Operations in All Missions”.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Corps Commander, Nigerian Army Corps of Supply and Transport, Maj.-Gen. Danjuma Shagaya, said the retired officers comprised four Major Generals and 14 Brigadier Generals.

Shagaya noted that the officers had served the nation with dedication from the time of their commissioning until retirement.

He described the event as both a celebration and recognition of their contributions.

“It is a joyous moment for the Corps of Supply and Transport, as current and former Corps Commanders are present to honour and celebrate these distinguished officers,” he said.

He explained that the pulling-out ceremony was a longstanding military tradition that provided an opportunity to celebrate years of service and sacrifice.

The corps commander also commended the Chief of Army Staff, for recognising the sacrifices and contributions of the retired officers by sending a representative to grace the occasion.

Speaking on behalf of the retirees, Maj.-Gen. Olaniyi Dare, said their careers spanned several decades, during which they served the Nigerian Army in various operational, command, and staff roles.

According to him, the Corps of Supply and Transport plays a central and indispensable role in the operational effectiveness of the Nigerian Army.

“We were entrusted with the responsibility of ensuring that soldiers deployed across various theatres of operation are adequately sustained.”

Dare added that during training, peace support missions, or internal security operations within and outside the country, the corps remained committed to delivering reliable and efficient logistics support.

“As we transition into retirement, we recognise that while we may be leaving active service, our commitment to the ideals and values of the Nigerian Army remains steadfast.

“We will continue to serve as ambassadors of the corps and remain available to contribute our experience and knowledge whenever we are called upon,” he said.

He described the ceremony as symbolic, noting that beyond its significance, it offered a moment to reflect on decades of service, sacrifice, and commitment to national defence.

He also paid tribute to the families of the retired officers, acknowledging the critical role.

“Military life often demands long separations, personal sacrifices, and constant movement.

“Their understanding, patience, and encouragement made it possible for us to fulfil our duties with dedication,” he said.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) said on Thursday it was reintroducing testing for gender to determine eligibility to compete in the female category, preventing transgender women from competing.

The screening will mean Olympic women’s sports at the 2028 Los Angeles Games will be limited to biological females, which would also rule out those with differences in sexual development (DSD) from competing.

The IOC is abandoning rules it brought in in 2021, which allowed individual federations to decide their own policy and implement a policy across all sports.

“Eligibility for any female category event at the Olympic Games or any other IOC event, including individual and team sports, is now limited to biological females, determined on the basis of a one‑time SRY gene screening,” the IOC said in a statement.

The test will be carried out through a saliva sample, cheek swab or blood sample.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry said: “The policy we have announced is based on science and has been led by medical experts.

“At the Olympic Games, even the smallest margins can be the difference between victory and defeat.

“So it is absolutely clear that it would not be fair for biological males to compete in the female category. In addition, in some sports it would simply not be safe.”

The IOC is bringing in the new policy after the women’s boxing competition at the 2024 Paris Olympics was rocked by a gender row involving Algerian fighter Imane Khelif and Lin Yu-ting of Taiwan.

Khelif and Lin were excluded from the International Boxing Association’s 2023 world championships after the IBA said they had failed eligibility tests.

However, the IOC allowed them both to compete at the Paris Games, saying they had been victims of “a sudden and arbitrary decision by the IBA”.

Both boxers went on to win gold medals.

Lin has since been cleared to compete in the female category at events run by World Boxing, the body that will oversee the sport at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Gender testing was first introduced at the 1968 Olympics and last used at the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, but then scrapped after criticism from the scientific community

Tijani Fatai has officially assumed office as the 42nd Commissioner of Police for Lagos State Command.

His appointment was confirmed in a statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, Lagos State Command, Ikeja, Abimbola Adebisi.

He takes over from Olohundare Jimoh, who served as the 41st Commissioner of Police from February 18, 2025, to March 26, 2026.

Fatai, a native of Agege Local Government Area of Lagos State, attended Anwar-ul-Islam College, Agege, between 1979 and 1984.

He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy from Ogun State University, now Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye.

He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on June 10, 1994 and has held several strategic positions across the country.

Prior to his latest posting, he served as Commissioner of Police, Eastern Port, Port Harcourt.

His previous assignments include Deputy Commissioner of Police in the Department of Operations at the Maritime Force Headquarters Annex, Lagos, and at the Lagos State Command Headquarters, Ikeja.

He also served as Assistant Commissioner of Police in the Department of Finance and Administration, Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos.

Other roles held by the new commissioner include Area Commander in Ilaro, Ogun State; Maiduguri Metro, Borno State; and Area C, Surulere, Lagos. He also served as Squadron Commander of 5 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Benin, Edo State, and 17 PMF in Akure, Ondo State.

Additionally, he was Officer-in-Charge of the Homicide Section at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Lagos, and Divisional Police Officer in Ogere, Ogun State, as well as Ijanikin and Alakara in Lagos State.

Fatai is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

According to the statement, his “track record of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to duty underscores his preparedness to steer the affairs of the Lagos State Police Command effectively.”

The new Commissioner of Police reassured stakeholders and residents of his commitment to consolidating ongoing reforms, enhancing internal security, strengthening inter-agency collaboration, and fostering community partnerships.

He also pledged to advance the mandate of protecting lives and property in line with global best practices.

“The Lagos State Police Command therefore, solicits the continued support and cooperation of the public as the new leadership works to deepen professionalism, discipline, and service delivery,” the statement added.