By: Vitalis Ugoh, Calabar
The General Officer Commanding, 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Hassan T. Dada has called for synergy between the state government and the military to tackle the increasing cases of kidnapping piracy and cultism in our society.
He made the call when he and his team paid the state governor Sen Bassey Otu a courtesy call in his office.
Major General Dada who recently assumed office as GOC, 82 Division, said it was customary to carry out familiarization tour of the states under an officer’s command, hence he has therefore come to pay homage to the Governor of Cross River State as the Chief Security Officer of Cross River.
Cross River State is one of the six states under the division.
Major Dada added that it is both nostalgic and gratifying to be in the state having been here years ago as a Commanding Officer, 146 Battalion and also being a Malabite.
The GOC solicited the co-operation of the state government and other sister agencies to tackle the challenges of kidnapping, piracy, cultism and communal clashes that have plagued the state in recent times.
He assured the government that with their cooperation, even though the task ahead is Herculean, the command has the capacity and expertise to deliver.
Earlier, the State governor, ably represented by his Deputy, Rt. Hon. Peter Odey welcomed Major General Dada who was also accompanied by the Commander of the 13th Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier Gen. E. I. Okoro and other high ranking officers.
Odey thanked them particularly for being proactive in the lkang axis of the State by curbing the menace of kidnapping and also still manning the Yala/Benue State border to ensure that enduring peace and security returns to the state.
He assured them of government’s commitment to ensuring that Cross Rriverians have the freedom to go about their businesses unhindered.
Also present during the courtesy call were the Senator representing Cross River State Central Senatorial district, Sen. Eteng Jones Williams, Commissioners for Information and Justice, the Chief of Staff to the Governor, the Head of Service, State Security Adviser and other Political Appointees.
