The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has charged troops deployed around Old Oyo National Park to intensify operations to flush out bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements from the area.
Mahmuda gave the directive on Wednesday during a visit to the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbeti, in Olorunsogo Local Government Area.
The acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, quoted the GOC as saying that he had been monitoring operational developments in the national park and its environs, particularly the troops’ efforts and achievements in tackling security threats.
He urged the troops to maintain effective control of the area and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
“Ensure you clear the OONP and its environs of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements,” he charged.
Mahmuda added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was pleased with the troops’ resilience and urged them to redouble their efforts to sustain operational gains.
He also commended other security agencies and local vigilantes for their contributions, describing their collaboration as evidence of effective operational synergy among security stakeholders.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you are doing,” he said.
The GOC was received by the Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Emmanuel Azenda, and the Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, Oyo, Brigadier General Austin Obochi.
He was subsequently briefed by the Commanding Officer, 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, Colonel Godwin Akuve, and the Operations Officer, Major Osaigbovo Ero, at FOB Igbeti, Col Danjuma said in a statement.