By Sam Kayode
Major General Peter Okoye has taken over as the new Commander of sector 3 of Operation HADIN KAI in Monguno, Borno state.
A statement from the spokesman of the sector command captain Babatunde Zubairu stated that Okoye took over on Saturday 15 April 2023, from Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar who is now redeployed as the new General Officer Commanding GOC 7 Division Nigerian Army and Commander Sector 1 Operation HADIN Kai in maiduguri.
The release said that the handing and taking over ceremony took place at the Sector Headquaters in Kinnasara Cantonment Monguno, Northern Borno state north eastern Nigeria.
Addressing troops at the Cantonment Parade Ground, the former Sector 3 Commander Major General Abdulsalam Abubakar thanked officers and soldiers for their co-operation, support and committment during his tenure as the Sector Commander.
General Abubakar commended the troops for their exemplary conduct, professionalism and discipline while he held the fort as their commander.
He further urged troops to extend the same corporation to his successor whom he described as a professional colleague with the foresight and capacity to move the sector to greater heights having previously served in the same location as the Chief of Staff.
He reiterated that with the current continuous support of the Federal Government through the provision of critical combat enablers to support troops in the field, the insurgency in the North East would soon be brought to a close particularly with the sterling strategic guidance being provided by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and the Chief of Army Staff (COAS) who have given priority attention to issues concerning deployment of troops especially on welfare and sound administration.
Gen Abukakar further commended troops for their tenacity and resilience in the fight against terrorism.
He urged them to sustain and consolidate on the immense successes recorded so far by Sector 3 OPHK/MNJTF which has led to the relocation of displaced citizens back to their ancestral homes and the rapid pick up of socio economic activities within the last one year in Northern Borno.
Earlier, Maj Generals Abdulsalam Abubakar and Peter Okoye in company of Staff Officers of the Sector were at 403 Amphibious Brigade Baga and 19 Brigade, Cross Kauwa respectively to bid farewell to the troops at the frontline Brigades.
Addressing the troops during the tour Maj Gen Abdulsalam Abubakar urged them to remain committed, dogged, focused and to continue to operate within the tenets of international laws in the conduct of operations.
The new Sector 3 Commander, Major General Peter Okoye is a seasoned Infantry Officer who is not new to the theatre.
Until his recent appointment as Comd Sect 3 OPHK/MNJTF, he was the Director of Policy, Army Headquarters Department of Policy and Plan.
Highlights of the ceremony was the signing of handing and takeover notes between the 2 commanders, hoisting of the new command flag at the Sector Quarter Guard and the decoration of the new Sector Commander with the Sector insignias, to symbolizes the change in the mantle of leadership.
The ceremony was witnessed by Commanders and Principal Staff Officers of Headquarters Sector 3 OPHK/MNJTF amongst others.
