4 hours ago
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The immediate past Commander 34 Artillery Brigade in Obinze, Imo State, Brig Gen Usman Lawal, has said under his watch kidnapping was reduced to the barest minimum.
Lawal said this on Thursday during the formal handover ceremony to the new Commander, Brig Gen Ibrahim Abass, at the 34 Artillery Brigade Obinze, according to a statement signed by the Acting Assistant Director of Army Public Relations, Capt Joseph Akubo.
He said the spate of kidnapping and other crimes had been reduced to the barest minimum even as he urged the troops to continue to stand firm and deny the terrorist IPOB/ESN group and other criminal elements freedom of action.
Lawal noted that the current state of security and peace in Imo State could not have been achieved without the efforts of the troops and other security agencies who fought and are still fighting to maintain peace.
He thanked the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen CG Musa and the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen OO Oluyede, for their support and the opportunity to serve as Commander, as well as to Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State for his support as well as that of other security agencies.
He appealed that the level of synergy between the state government and security agencies should be maintained and urged all in the state to cooperate with Gen Abass so as to consolidate the level of security that has been achieved.
Meanwhile, the new commander, Abbas has warned criminals within the state to lay down their arms and surrender, saying they will have a tough time under his watch.
The statement read, “He sternly warns all criminal elements operating in the state to come out of the bushes, lay down their arms and surrender. He emphasized that criminals will have a hard time under his command as he will lead the onslaught against them if they fail to surrender.”
Abbas also “urged troops to maintain the same level of alertness and show of strength against all criminal elements, stating that a change in Command does not change the fight against criminals and the quest for peace.”
The new GOC also assured all that staff welfare would be a top priority, saying, “The welfare of the troops will be taken seriously and assured that he will consolidate on all facets of the Brigade’s administrative, operational and training successes.”
According to the statement, Abass will double as the Brigade Commander and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force, Operation Udo Ka.
