From CHARLES ONYEKWERE, ENUGU
Major-General Oluyemi Olatoye has taken over as the 39th General Officer Commanding, GOC, of 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and Force Commander, Joint Task Force South-East ‘Operation UDO KA.’
Olatoye took over from Major-General Hassan Dada, who has been deployed to Nigerian Army Heritage and Future Centre.
Taking over on Monday in the division’s headquarters in Enugu, the new GOC charged officers and troops to brace-up, redouble all efforts and surpass all known operational successes.
Olatoye, who said his job in the Division was to take the standard higher, called on all principal officers and commanders within component formations to ensure hard work, commitment and dedication of officers and soldiers under them.
“I appreciate the outgone GOC for his strides in curbing crime and criminality within the Division’s Area of Responsibility, AoR, which is the South-East and Cross River State.
“I noticed that the Division has effectively stopped the Monday sit-at-home in the South-East, as I clearly witnessed various businesses and human activities ongoing while I entered Enugu today.
“I laud the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Lieutenant-General Olufemi Oluyede, for my deployment here and various support given to the Division, leading to its current operational successes,” he said.
Earlier, Major-General Dada appreciated God, officers and soldiers of the Division for bringing solution to the security challenges, as well as chaotic and problematic environment he met on ground two years ago.
He noted that he led and supervised various special operations to check terrorists and criminal elements in communities, forests and major hide-outs of notorious armed groups and criminal elements in the region.
“The Division’s AoR witnessed several special operations within the last two years including a peaceful yuletide and unprecedented mass return for the holidays.
“I thank God that it witnessed few number of soldiers paying the ultimate sacrifice as they serve their fatherland and few personnel being hospitalised due to operational injuries.
“During my stay, I carried out a lot of welfare projects, which include: building accommodations for officers and soldiers; construction and reconstruction of schools; building training and recreational facilities and building health facilities within the barracks among others.
“I thank the COAS and Nigerian Army Headquarters for the support given to the Division and Operation UDO KA to achieve resounding successes these years,” he said.
Dada called on officers and soldiers to continue in their strides and commitment to rid the South-East of all criminal elements.
Highpoint of the event include signing of the handover and taking over notes by the outgone and new GOC, as well as handing over of the Division’s flag to Olatoye.
