The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has embarked on an operational tour to Sokoto State in the 8 Division Area of Responsibility.
This is contained in a statement issued by the Army Spokesman, Maj.Gen Onyeama Nwachukwu, made available to the press in Abuja.
The Ag COAS who arrived the north west state in the early hours of Sunday, immediately proceeded to Forward Operations Base Tangaza and 248 Battalion in Illela, where he received briefs on the security situation by the General Officer Commanding 8 Division, Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose.
Gen. Oluyede, while addressing troops deployed in Tangaza and illela, commended them for their sacrifice and commitment in the ongoing fight against terrorism and insurgency in the North West zone of the country.
He disclosed that the tour was to obtain first-hand information and assessment of the security situation and challenges of the troops, while assuring them of his full support and encouragement to decisively deplete the activities of terrorists and insurgents in their respective areas of responsibility and the North West zone in general.
General Oluyede charged the troops to shun any form of complacency that could jeopardize ongoing operations to overcome the security challenges bedeviling the region.
While interacting with the Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, Bashir Salihu, traditional heads and heads of security agencies at Illela, Gen. Oluyede called for synergy and collaboration with the troops, especially with providing credible information, adding that it is with their support that the troops will effectively protect them and secure the nation as a whole.
“Nigerian Army is the people’s Army and Nigeria belongs to all of us. Without the support of the locals, the Nigerian Army cannot succeed. We must collectively do all it takes to defend our country”, Gen. Oluyede clarified.
