Presidential Guard Brigade (Nigeria)

The Presidential Guard Brigade is a special arm of the Nigerian Army, which is responsible for protecting the President of Nigeria. The members of the brigade are a group of elite Nigerian soldiers who guard the residence of the President and his guests, as well as perform ceremonial duties. It is, also a combat unit, akin to the American Secret Service.

History and Mission
The Presidential Guard Brigade of the Nigerian Army was formed in September 1962 as the Federal Guards. It was created for the purpose of carrying out ceremonial and security duties in Lagos and Abuja similar to the role of the British Household Division in London. In May 1966, Major General Johnson Aguiyi-Ironsi, who was the leader of the Nigerian Military Junta, renamed the Federal Guards to the National Guards. The soldiers who killed Ironsi on July 29, 1966, were drawn from the National Guards unit in Lagos.

In 2010, the brigade clandestinely escorted President Umaru Yar'Adua as he returned to Nigeria shortly before his death. This operation lead to significant controversy over the Area of responsibility and chain of command within the brigade.

The brigade fired a 21 gun salute during the swearing in ceremony of Muhammadu Buhari on May 29, 2015. The brigade currently protects the residence of the President and his guests, as well as perform ceremonial duties. Members of the brigade stand at the Presidential Villa in Aso Rock and also raise and lower the national flag at ceremonies and parades. The brigade holds a weekly changing of the guard guard ceremony outside Aso Villa.

Allegations of massacres

 * How an elite Nigerian Unit killed dozens of protesters, The New York Times