Officers and Soldiers of the Nigeria Army have been charged to ensure they create an enabling and peaceful atmosphere for the conduct of free, fair and credible election and not to interfere with the electoral process in line with the charge of the Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General Faruk Yahaya.
Outgoing General Officer Commanding GOC of the 8th Division Nigeria Army Sokoto, Major General Uweim Bassey made the call during a regimental farewell parade at the Giginya Army Barracks in his honour and to usher in a new GOC for the division.
General Bassey charged the troops to remain professional, law abiding and remain apolitical, before, during and after the conduct of the general election
He solicited for support and cooperation to be accorded the new GOC Major General Godwin Mutkut to ensure he succeeds in the fight against terrorists and other criminal elements in all the area of responsibility of the division.
While Major General Mutkut takes over the 8th Division, General Bassey has been redeployed to Defense Space Administration as the Deputy Chief of Defense Space Administration.
Operation Hadarin Daji which covers Kebbi, Katsina, Zamfara and Sokoto states is aimed at keeping peace in the trouble areas of the Northwest region.
In his inaugural address, General Mutkut promised to sustain and build upon the legacies of his predecessor while urging commanders and troops to brace-up for the enormous task ahead especially as the nation is about to witness the general election.
He stated that troops under his watch would not relent on their oars until all criminal elements within the region had been flushed out from their enclaves and forced to embrace peace.
Major General Mutkut commended his predecessor Major General Bassey for his remarkable achievements and purposeful leadership in restoring peace and stability in his Operational Area of Responsibility.
As part of proceedings for the handover, General Bassey introduced General Mutkut to His Eminence the Sultan of Sokoto Alhaji Dr Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.
The Sultan commended General Bassey for his resilience efforts in stabilizing the security challenges within the Division Area of operation that covers Katsina, Zamfara, Sokoto and Kebbi States.
He, therefore, wished General Bassey a successful tour of duty in his new place of assignment. He welcome General Mutkut and urged him to intensify operations and destroy and clear the ruminants of bandits hibernating in the forest.
The Sultan stressed that traditional rulers will continue to pray and render all the necessary support needed for the Nigerian Army to bring lasting peace the Northwest Zones.
Highpoint of the events were signing the handing and taking over notes of OPHD and 8 Division, presentation of 8 Division flag and OPHD, decorating the General Mutkut with 8 Division insignia and OPHD, presentation of handing and taking over notes, regimental parade , lowering and hoisting of 8 Division flag and OPHD for the outgoing and incoming GOC/ CJTF OPHD, address to officers and soldiers among others.
