GOC Visits Scene of Boundary Clashes

As He Visits Scene Of Boundary Clash Between Oku Iboku And Ikot Offiong Communities

The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division Nigerian Army (NA) Enugu, Major General Adamu AbUbakar has on Tuesday 17 January 2017 commenced a working visit to Formations and Units under the Division’s Area of Responsibility.

The Goc was in 13 Brigade Calabar on the 17 January 20 17,  where, together with his team of commanders and Staff Officers were briefed on the operational state and readiness of the Brigade.

He inspected some combat equipments, military Kitts and ongoing barrack accommodation for soldiers  in the Brigade. He used the opportunity to interact with officers and soldiers of the Formation and charged them to uphold the Core Values of the Nigerian Army in the discharge of their onerous responsibilities.

Some of the Core Values are – integrity, selflessness, honesty and commitment. Others are honour, duty, patriotism and respect for others.

“The Nig Army under the Present leadership will not tolerate any act of professional misconduct from anyone of you. As workers in a voluntary organisation, we must have to imbibe and fully put into practice the NA Core Values of integrity, honesty, belief and commitment to the course and respect for others” Gen Abubakar stated.

Gen Abubakar used the opportunity (while in 13 Brigade Calabar) to call on the Brigade and other security agencies to continue to device other means of proactively addressing the recurrent security challenge of inter communal violence and/or state boundary disputes in their Area of Operations.

He commended the soldiers for their timely intervention in the recent boundary crisis between Oku Iboku Community of Akwa Ibom State and Ikot Offiong Community of Cross Rivers State.

He used the interactive forum with officers and soldiers to dispel rumour as reported by an online media that two soldiers lost their lives during the crisis. “To the best of my knowledge no soldier of the Brigade was killed or wounded in their peace enforcement efforts before, during or after the crisis”. Such report is distractive and should be discountenanced.

From 13 Brigade, the GOC and his team proceeded to 14 Brigade Ohafia and the Nigerian Army Language Institute at Ovim in Bende and Isuikwato Local Govt Areas of Abia State. In all these places, General Abubakar reiterated the commitment of the NA to containing peculiar security challenges across the Division and the nation.

“There are still occasional cases of kidnappings, Farmers – herdsmen clashes and communal crisis in your Area of Responsibility,We must redouble our efforts to effectively checkmate these challenges”. He urged troops to remain focus and steadfast in the service of the nation.

“He warned that “Any infraction of human rights, partisanship and complacency under any guise will never be encouraged condoned or tolerated”.

Wherever we notice such transgressions we will appropriately apply sanctions” – Gen Abubakar further stated. He commended the troops for their sacrifices to the nation and urged them to do more.

One major highlight of the visit is the holistic appraisal of operational matters and challenges in all the Units and Formations that were visited.

Consequently, where required, solutions, guidance and direction were/was given with the view to smoothens and enhances the operational effectiveness of the affected Units and Formations.

SAGIR MUSA
Colonel
Deputy Director Public Relations