Major GeneralLuke Kakadu Aprezi(Rtd)

The National President of the NMS Ex-Boys Association, Exboy Mohammed Baba Marte, on behalf of the entire NMS Exboys worldwide, extends his deepest condolences on the passing of Ex-Boy Major General LKF Aprezi (Rtd), a distinguished member of the NMS 67 Set, Ibadan House, and a member of the 12th Regular Course of the Nigerian Defence Academy.

Late Major General LKF Aprezi (Rtd) was a highly distinguished Infantry officer whose military career was marked by professional excellence, leadership, courage, and extensive operational experience both at home and in international theatres of military operations. He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 1974 as a Regular Combatant Infantry Officer and subsequently built a remarkable career spanning command, training, staff, peacekeeping, and multinational operations.

In 1979, Major General Aprezi was among the Nigerian Army officers assigned to the Nigerian Defence Academy to serve as instructors, following the conclusion of the Indian Training Team’s tenure. His contribution to military training and professional development continued throughout his career, including his service as Directing Staff at the Armed Forces Command and Staff College, Jaji.

His operational appointments reflected the breadth of his military experience. He served as the Nigerian Contingent Commander with the United Nations Protection Force (UNPROFOR) in the former Yugoslavia and as Commanding Officer of NIBAT 1 UNPROFOR. In that capacity, he became the first Nigerian Army officer to command a Nigerian battalion in Europe. NIBAT 1 was also the only Nigerian battalion that participated in the operations.

He subsequently served as Commanding Officer of NIBAT 20 under ECOMOG in Liberia and later as the ECOMOG Multinational Ground Task Force Commander, where he commanded seven battalions comprising four Nigerian battalions and one each from Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Guinea in the defence of Monrovia, Liberia.

Throughout his distinguished career, Major General Aprezi held several key command and staff appointments, including Commander 3 Infantry Brigade, Kano; Director of Training at the Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC), Minna; Chief of Training and Operations (CTOPs), Army Headquarters, Abuja; and Commander TRADOC, Minna.

He also served as the pioneer Director of the Armed Forces Simulation Centre, Jaji, where he oversaw fourteen simulation exercises covering a wide range of scenarios, including general war simulations, peacekeeping operations, disaster relief, and riot control measures. His contribution to military training, operational preparedness, and institutional development remains an important part of his professional legacy.

Major General Aprezi retired from the Nigerian Army in 2007, upon his return to Nigeria after serving as the Force Commander of the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS). His service in that capacity further reflected the confidence placed in his leadership and extensive experience in multinational peace-support operations.

The NMS EXBA deeply mourns the loss of a distinguished Ex-Boy, an accomplished Infantry Officer, an experienced commander, and a veteran of significant national and international military operations. We particularly share in the grief of the NMS 67 Set, his NDA course mates, colleagues, friends, and loved ones who have lost a brother and a distinguished member of their generation.

The Association extends its heartfelt condolences to his immediate family, loved ones and all who mourn his passing. We pray that Almighty God grants them the strength, comfort, and fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.

As we mourn his passing, we are reminded of the enduring values of discipline, leadership, courage, service, and patriotism instilled by the Nigerian Military School. Major General Aprezi’s distinguished record of command, professional service, peacekeeping, military training, and institutional development will remain part of the proud legacy of an NMS Ex-Boy who served his nation and contributed to international peace and security.

May Almighty God forgive his shortcomings, grant him eternal rest, and comfort his family and loved ones during this difficult period of grief.

May his soul rest in perfect peace.