By John Ogunsemore
The Acting Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, has embarked on his maiden operational tour to Sokoto State, specifically visiting the 8 Division Area of Responsibility.
This comes amid fresh threats posed by Lakurawa, a new terror group responsible for recent violence in the North West, especially in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The Army said the acting COAS arrived in Sokoto on Sunday, November 10 and promptly proceeded to Forward Operations Base Tangaza and 248 Battalion in Illela, where he received critical briefings from Brigadier General Ibikunle Ajose, General Officer Commanding 8 Division.
Addressing the troops, the Acting COAS praised their dedication and sacrifices in combating terrorism and insurgency in Nigeria’s North West zone.
He emphasised that his tour is aimed to gather firsthand information on the security situation and challenges faced by the troops.
Oluyede assured the troops of his unwavering support, urging them to remain vigilant and avoid complacency in their operations.
The Army boss emphasised the crucial role of collaboration between the military and local communities in overcoming security challenges and urged the public to provide reliable information to support the troops’ efforts, highlighting that the Nigerian Army’s success relies heavily on local backing.
“The Nigerian Army belongs to the people,” he reiterated, stressing that community support is vital to achieving their objectives.
“By fostering this synergy, the military can better protect civilians and prevent conflicts, as seen in successful peacekeeping operations,” he said.
The Acting COAS also interacted with Hon. Bashir Salihu, Chairman of Tangaza Local Government Area, traditional leaders, and heads of security agencies in Illela, underscoring the need for collective action to defend Nigeria.