The governor of Kebbi State, Senator Abubakar Atiku Bagudu, has once again commended the Nigerian Army and other security agencies for their gallantry and sacrifice in protecting the territorial integrity of the nation and restoring security and peace in the federation.
A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, CPS, Abubakar Mu’azu Dakingari, made available to CompassNG stated that Governor Bagudu, expressed the commendation, while speaking on Tuesday in Birnin Kebbi whrn he received the new General Officer Commanding, GOC, 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, Major-General G.M. Mutkut.
Represented by the deputy-governor, Colonel Sama’ila Yombe Dabai, rtd., the governor was particularly happy about the role of the army in the fight against bandits in Zuru Emirate and other parts of the state, which has helped in reducing the influx of internally displaced persons, IDPs.
He however requested for additional troops to patrol areas prone to attack.
Senato Bagudu commended the outgoing GOC and the efforts of the incumbent Brigade Commander, Gusau, and the Commanding Officer, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, for their meritorious services in the defence of their fatherland in the ongoing fight against bandits.
The governor affirmed the commitment of his administration to the provision of necessary material, logistics and financial support to soldiers and other members of the Armed Forces in the conduct of their operations.
Earlier, the GOC 8 Division of the Nigerian Army, Sokoto, who is also the Joint Task Force Commander, Operation Hadarin Daji, Major-General Mutkut, said that he was in Kebbi State on a familiarization visit to all army formations to interact with soldiers and officers under the division on how best to energize and ginger them to perform optimally.
Major-General Mutkut said that the Nigerian Army would remain non-partisan and be ready to protect the electorate during and after the forthcoming election exercise.
He gave an assurance that more troops would be deployed to Kebbi State to keep surveillance in towns and villages threatened by banditry.
The GOC was accompanied on the visit by the Brigade Commander, 1 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Gusau, Brigadier-General C.A Baushe; Brigadier-General J.U Gombe and the Commanding Officer, 1 Battalion, Dukku Barracks, Birnin Kebbi, Major M.F Mustapha.
Major-General Mutkut was received by the Kebbi State acting Head of Service, HoS, Safiyanu Garba Bena; Special Adviser to the governor on Power, Alhaji Yusuf Haruna Rasheed; the acting Permanent Secretary, General Administration, Suleiman Sani Augie; the Director of Security, Aliyu Labaran, and other directors from the Cabinet Office.
