Army chief visits Oyo National Park

The General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj Gen Auwalu Mahmuda, on Wednesday visited troops deployed around Old Oyo National Park and urged them to sustain their operational tempo against criminal elements.

Mahmuda, who gave the advice at the Forward Operating Base in Igbeti, Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo State, further urged the troops to effectively dominate the area by denying criminal elements freedom of action.

The GOC, according to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Danjuma Danjuma, in Ibadan, the state capital, said, “I have been following operational developments in the OONP and its environs, particularly the troops’ efforts and achievements.

“I want you to sustain operational tempo against criminal elements. Ensure you clear the OONP and its environs of bandits, terrorists, other criminal elements, and effectively dominate the area by denying criminal elements freedom of action.”

Mahmuda added that the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen W. Shaibu, was pleased with the troops’ resilience and urged them to redouble their efforts. 

The GOC also expressed appreciation to other security agencies and vigilantes for their contributions, noting that “your collaboration demonstrated effective operational synergy among security stakeholders. We cannot thank you enough for what you are doing.”

He was received upon arrival by the Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brig Gen Emmanuel Azenda, and the Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, Oyo, Brig Gen Austin Obochi.

The GOC was subsequently briefed by the Commanding Officer, 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, Col Godwin Akuve, and the Operations Officer, Maj Osaigbovo Ero, at FOB Igbeti.