Outgoing GOC tasks troops to ensure that terrorists have no safe haven

Major Gen. Ali Nani, the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 8 Task Force Division, Nigerian Army, has urged officers and soldiers to maintain the momentum achieved against unrepentant Boko Haram terrorists around the Lake Chad Basin.

Nani gave the charge during his farewell speech in the Division’s conference room and 242 Battalion parade ground in Kinnasara Military Cantonment, Monguno, on Saturday.

In a statement issued in Maiduguri and signed by Col. Timothy Antigha, the Deputy Director Army Public Relations Department, Nani attributed the successes troops’ doggedness, comradeship, bravery and resilience.

He charged them to remain vigilant and most importantly, accord his successor the same support and solidarity that he had enjoyed.

He thanked the troops for their immeasurable sacrifices in ensuring that terrorists had no safe haven in the division’s area of responsibility.

“I am handing over this command to my successor a fulfilled commander due to the successes recorded during my tour of duty.

“And I attribute this to the irrepressible courage and zeal of the troops," he stated.

Antigha said in the statement that one minute silence was observed in honour of fallen compatriots who paid the supreme sacrifice in the fight, to ensure that normalcy was fully restored in the division’s area of responsibility.

In his remarks, the incoming GOC thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt.-Gen. Tukur Buratai, for giving him the opportunity to serve.

He commended the outgoing GOC for his achievements and pledged to uphold the ideals of the division and make its jurisdiction untenable for terrorists.

The climax of the evening, according to Antigha, was the signing of the handing and taking over notes.

Others were the presentation of command flag by the outgoing GOC to the incoming Acting GOC Brig.-Gen. Stevenson Olabanji in the division’s conference room.

The event also witnessed the lowering of the old flag and hoisting of a new one to symbolise the end and beginning of a new era in the division.