Troops’ fighting spirit and doggedness, especially in recent encounters with Boko Haram Terrorists (BHTs) and its splinter group, ISWAP, in the theatre of operation has been commended.
The Acting General Officer Commanding (GOC) 7 Division and Commander Sector 1, Joint Task Force North East, Operation HADIN KAI (OPHK) Brigadier General Abdulwahab Eyitayo gave the commendation during a maiden operational tour of 24 Task Force Brigade, Dikwa, and Special Intervention Battalion IV, as well as Mobile Strike Team 16 collocated in New Marte, on 29 and 30 June 2021 respectively.
According to a statement by the Director, Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the GOC also gave a similar commendation when he paid a visit to troops of 151 and 152 Task Force Battalions in 21 Special Brigade area of responsibility.
He hailed the high level of alertness and undampened fighting spirit in recent encounters with elements of Boko Haram terrorists (BHTs) and Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP).
The GOC urged ”the troops to sustain the momentum and ensure that remnants of the terrorists are completely neutralised.”
Conveying the appreciation of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Major General Faruk Yahaya to the troops for their gallantry in the fight against insurgency, General Eyitayo noted that ”the COAS is determined to ensure that adequate equipment and logistics are made available to enhance their fighting efficiency. He pointed out, that troops’ welfare is paramount to the current leadership.”
He also assured the troops of prompt Air Support from the Air Component Task Force, emphasising that Jointness amongst the Armed Forces and other security agencies is a force multiplier, essential for operational success.
General Eyitayo further disclosed that ”rotation is ongoing in the theatre as directed by the President, Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, President Muhammadu Buhari and that those due for rotation will be rotated accordingly.”
During the visit, the GOC inspected large cache of arms, ammunition and Gun trucks captured from neutralised terrorists.
He was accompanied on the visit by formation and unit commanders, as well as Principal Staff Officers of the Division.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
