By Tony Adibe
The outgoing controversial General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Maj-Gen Umar Musa has charged the residents of South-East Zone of Nigeria to always volunteer credible information on activities of criminal elements in the area.
Maj-Gen Musa gave the charge after inaugurating four projects recently completed in Abakpa Military Cantonment in Enugu even as the projects were in line of his handing over activities.
NewsBits learnt that the projects included newly built 82 Division Garrison Quarter Guard Stand and House; renovated and furnished 82 Division Provost Company Office Complex; Renovated 82 Division Band Office Complex; and Intelligence and Military Police Detention Facility.
The GOC said that lack of credible information to act on against activities of criminal elements has remained a challenge to the Division. Maj-Gen Musa said: “For the good people of the South-East, my appeal to them is for them to always give us (Nigerian Army) information so that we act swiftly.
“They should disregard irredentist activities because they are out to confuse the good people of the Southeast. From all indications, all the arrests and crackdown we have had with them, they are purely out for pecuniary gains and to threaten the people and thereby cause more confusion.”
The GOC, however, said that he would miss the South-East “as I was gradually getting used to them and understanding their life-style.” He also charged Nigerian Army personnel serving in the division to rededicate themselves to the service of the nation.
He said: “I want our personnel to redouble their efforts, while ensuring that peace fully returns to the South-East.”
Before the inauguration of 82 Division Garrison Quarter Guard Stand and House, the 82 Division Garrison Commander, Brig.-Gen. Mohammed Ibrahim, said that without a befitting quarter guard, there would be no regimentation in the Nigerian Army.
Brig-Gen Ibrahim said: “Since I took over as the Commander, I have been working hard to bring the quarter guard to its standard and I thank God that with the help of the GOC, we now have a befitting quarter guard stand and house.”
At the newly built Intelligence and Military Police Detention Facility, Brig.-Gen. Thompson Ugiagbe, Commander of 82 Division Military Intelligence Bureau, said that the facility was built to provide more space and expansion. Brig-Gen Ugiagbe said: “The detention facility is built with the state-of-the-art facility, and it conforms to the best standard so far.”
The Acting Commander of 82 Division Provost Company, Lt.-Col. Simon Tije, and Acting Commander of 82 Division Band Company, Major Sunday Tom thanked the GOC for giving their office complexes in the cantonment a befitting renovation.
NewsBits learnt that Maj-Gen Musa has been redeployed to Nigerian Army Headquarters as the Chief of Personnel Management (Army).
