By SADIQ ABUBAKAR, Maiduguri-
The outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC), 7 Division, Nigerian Army Headquarters Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri, Major General Abdul Khalifa Ibrahim has said that the Division under his command in the last 18 months, security wise has improved better since he came on board.
Maj. Gen. Ibrahim added that during his stay at the command, operational achievements were recorded as number of towns and villages were recovered from the Boko Haram insurgency and IDPs also resettled in their ancestral homes, living peacefully and going about their normal businesses in their local communities.
The GOC stated this on Tuesday during a grand reception and send forth organized by the 7 Division NA Headquarters Maiduguri, in his honour for his promotion as a Major General from the rank of Brigadier General in December 2020 and his recent redeployment awah from the state.
According to him, the command witnessed several infrastructural development in the areas of water supply, classrooms blocks construction, offices, women empowerment, poverty alleviation, loan facility, roads and mobility among others were provided.
He further explained that a lot of successes were recorded in the fight against insurgency in the areas under the command, where he has been on daily routine of surveillance along Jakana and Maiduguri Road mostly in the evening when the insurgents and bandits used to interrupt traffic along the highway.
In his remarks, The Theater Commander, Operation Lafiya Dole, Major General Yahaya Umar Farouq, said the outgoing GOC has served the Division and Theater Command diligently and successfully leaving his records high.
He commended and congratulate the outgoing GOC for the successes recorded under his watch and appreciated him for his well deserved promotion in December 2020.
The Theater Commander described him as dedicatated, intelligent, commited, hard-working senior military officer that is ever ready at any time to discharge his dutues.
“As you prepare for your exit, please prepare a brief for whoever is taking over from you. As nobody can do such a job perfectly except you to guide the person with your experience and knowledge of the operational areas”.
“1 also urge you to keep in touch with us and maintain contact with Operations Lafiya Dole and the Division. Your wealth of experience and knowledge has equipped me adequately as you guided and advised the Theater Command and Division during your stay”.
“Operations are ongoing within the areas of operation daily and security situation are improving as you said, successes have been recorded despite the challenges which are not unsurmountable as you said earlier. I wish you well and the best in your new assignment “, Yahaya said.
While in his remark, Governor Babagana Umara Zulum described the outgoing Major General Ibrahim, as a man of integrity and dedication having related and worked with the State Government peacefully and successfully establishing a synergy that can not be forgotten as a brother and a friend.
Represented by the State Deputy Governor, Hon. Usman Umar Kadafur, he added that General Khalifa is a committed and responsible senior military officer and the State Government had a good working relationship with him while praying God to guide and protect him in his new assignment.
Earlier, the Nigerian Soldiers WIives Association (NASWA), led by a female Regimental Sergeant Major (RSM), 7 Division Headquarters, NA Maimalari Cantonment Maiduguri sang farewell song and prayed God to continue to guide and protect him while describing him as a father and will always cherish and miss him on behalf of families of the soldiers
The Task 7 Division Artlery Brigade Commander, Brig. Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, said the operational successes and achievements recorded could not have been attained without the efforts and support of the outgoing GOC, Major General A. K. Ibrahim.
He thanked the Theater Command, officers of Operation Lafiya Dole and the Deputy Governor as well as The 7 Division, the media, para military services in the state and the CJTF and the Vigilante Groups for their support and assistance to the division.
Highlights of the occasion include presentation of gifts to invited guests, cultural dances, group photographs, music and buffet.
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