As part of efforts towards sustaining peace in the country, Major General Obinna Onubogu, General Officer Commanding(GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Ibadan has charged officers and soldiers to keep miscreants and criminals at bay.
Onubogu, as a special guest of honor, made the call during the West African Social Activities (WASA) 2024, held at 32 Artillery Brigade, Owena Cantonment on Saturday in Akure, the Ondo State Capital.
WASA is an annual social activity in the Nigerian Army to mark the end of a successful training year and the beginning of a new training cycle.
The event was also a platform for officers, soldiers, members of their families and friends of the Brigade to come together and interact in a relaxed and conducive atmosphere.
The GOC, who noted that the WASA had became a tradition in Nigerian Army, commended the 32 brigade for their efforts of ensuring peaceful coexistence with their host communities and general populace which boosted public confidence.
According to him, The year 2024 training cycle ended successful on high note with unprecedented success in a the area of curbing criminals activities in the brigade particularly during the yuletide season.
“We are grateful to the commander of the 32 brigade, officers and soldiers of the brigade for their efforts being put in place to ensure the safety of lives and properties of peace loving people of Ondo and Ekiti state.
“Let me thanks the troops again, as Ondo and Ekiti state remain very secured. We want you to continue to brace up and ensure that this 2025 all miscreants, criminals and anyone who want to destroy the peace of the states is kept at bay,” he said.
Onubogu, who thanked the government of Ondo and Ekiti state, COAS particularly President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his continue support to the Nigerian Army, promised not to relent in the division’s path to secure the country.
Earlier in an address, Major General John Lar, Commander 32 Brigade called on governments, religious and traditional rulers to continue supporting the Nigerian Army in the fight crimes and criminals in the country.
Lar, who explained that the event would have taken place in Dec. 2024, said no single security agency could operate alone in tackling the contemporary security challenges in the country.
According to him, the role of society approach must be inculcated in all our endeavors.
“We need more than ever inter-agency collaboration as well as the support of states and local governments, communities as well as religious and traditional leaders amongst others to secure our dear country.
“Therefore, I enjoin all security agencies and other stakeholders to synergize in order to achieve a safe and secure year 2025.
“To my gallant officers and soldiers of the 32 Artillery Brigade, I say well done for your professional conduct throughout year 2024. Do not rest on your oars as we strive to make year 2025 even more successful.
” I believe that the troops of the 32 Artillery Brigade will continue to discharge their responsibilities in line with the Chief of Army Staff’s vision,” Lar said.
He, therefore, vowed to consolidate on the gains already established in the 2024 to provide a secure environment to enable social and economic activities to thrive in two states.
Highlights of the event included burnfire, display of cultural dances by different ethnics , tug of war competition, rewards for outstanding personnel among others.
