From George Onyejiuwa, Owerri
The Commander, Joint Task Force, Southeast Operation Udo Ka, Maj.-Gen. Hassan Dada, said the total restoration of peace to the southeast region remains sacrosanct.
Dada, who is also the General Officer Commanding (GOV) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, gave the commitment during a Sallah lunch with the troops and security personnel of the operation, at the naval base, Oguta council area of Imo State, yesterday.
The commander pledged unflinching support for civil authorities to ensure the return and sustenance of peace in the region for sustainable economic development. He commended all security personnel of the operation for their resilience, adding that the successes so far recorded would not have been possible without their collective efforts.
The commander further thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Gen. Christopher Musa, for their moral, logistics and other support, while restating his commitment to peace in the division’s areas of responsibility.
“After consistent efforts by our troops and security personnel of the Operation Udo Ka, there is tremendous improvement in security and we will not rest on our oars until peace totally returns. We urge the civil populace to embrace this fight against insecurity and not hesitate to share useful information with us to aid our efforts”, he said.
Earlier in an opening address, the operation’s Maritime Component Commander, Commodore Mohammed Salisu, said the lunch was aimed at boosting morale of troops.
and officers for the enhancement of the operation. He called for greater synergy between security agencies, while assuring that the operation would “continue to leverage its successes” for continued operations.
He,however, thanked Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for the enabling environment for carrying out the operation, especially in parts of the state.
Also, the operation’s Land Component Commander and Commander, 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, in Owerri, Brig.-Gen. Usman Lawal, thanked the CDS for all requisite equipment and logistics support.
He further pledged commitment to peace and security of Imo, the southeast and Nigeria at large. A highlight of the event was the personal distribution of food to troops and officers of the operation by the GOC, in demonstration of his appreciation for their loyalty.