By PHILIP NWOSU
The General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Everest Okoro, has charged troops of 16 Brigade to intensify efforts to protect critical national infrastructure within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).
Okoro gave the charge during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of his familiarisation tour of formations and units under his command.
Addressing troops during the visit, the GOC urged them to remain proactive in identifying emerging security threats and criminal flashpoints within their areas of responsibility.
He stressed the need for timely intervention to prevent acts of sabotage against critical national assets, describing the infrastructure as vital to Nigeria’s economic stability and development.
Okoro therefore urged officers and soldiers of the brigade to remain committed and steadfast in the discharge of their responsibilities.
The GOC also emphasised the importance of professionalism, discipline and political neutrality in military operations, reminding troops that their conduct must consistently reflect the values and standards of the Nigerian Army.
He particularly urged personnel to maintain professionalism in their interactions with members of the civil populace and during operations within their respective areas of responsibility.
Okoro further directed the brigade to sustain the effective deployment of human intelligence and non-kinetic approaches to security operations, including regular town hall meetings and other community engagement initiatives.
According to him, maintaining constructive relationships with host communities is essential to gaining credible information and addressing emerging security threats before they escalate.
Earlier, the Commander, 16 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General Nurulhayat Mohammed, welcomed the GOC and presented a comprehensive briefing on the brigade’s operational, administrative and logistics activities.
The briefing highlighted the formation’s achievements, prevailing challenges and projections for enhancing operational effectiveness within its area of responsibility.
As part of the familiarisation tour, Major General Okoro visited 16 Field Engineer Regiment, Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State; Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion VIII, Ahoada; 5 Battalion; and 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele Barracks, Rivers State.
At the various formations and units, the GOC received separate operational briefs from the respective commanding officers.
The Army chief also visited the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE; the Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy; and the Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
He was received by the respective senior commanders, including Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Admiral Sulaiman Ibrahim and Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi.
The commanders pledged continued cooperation and inter-service collaboration towards strengthening security and safeguarding critical national infrastructure across their respective areas of responsibility.
The tour featured operational briefings, inspections of ongoing projects, assessment of Nigerian Army lands, interaction with troops and the commissioning of the Regimental Sergeant Major’s official residence at 5 Battalion, Elele Barracks, among other activities.
The GOC’s visit comes amid sustained military efforts to secure the Niger Delta’s critical infrastructure and waterways while strengthening cooperation among the armed forces and host communities in the South-South region.
(The Sun)