The commander of the Joint Task Force, South-East Operation Udo Ka, Hassan Dada, says his commitment to the total return of peace to the region remains sacrosanct.

Mr Dada, who is also the general officer commanding (GOC), 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, said this while addressing troops during a sallah lunch with the soldiers and security personnel of the operation at the naval base, Oguta council area of Imo, on Thursday.

The commander pledged his support to civil authorities to ensure the return and sustenance of peace in the region for sustainable economic development.

He commended all security personnel of the operation for their resilience, adding that the successes so far recorded would not have been possible without their collective efforts.

The commander further hailed the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa, for their moral, logistics and other support while restating his commitment to peace in the division’s areas of responsibility.

“After consistent efforts by our troops and security personnel of the Operation Udo Ka, there is tremendous improvement in security and we will not rest on our oars until peace totally returns. We urge the civil populace to embrace this fight against insecurity and not hesitate to share useful information with us to aid our efforts,” he said.

The operation’s maritime component commander, Mohammed Salisu, said the lunch aimed to boost the morale of troops and officers to enhance the operation.

He called for greater synergy between security agencies while assuring the operation to “continue to leverage its successes” for continued operations.

He lauded Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo for the environment that enabled the operation to be carried out, especially in parts of Imo.

Also, the operation’s land component commander and commander, 34 Artillery Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Obinze, in Owerri, Usman Lawal, commended the defence chief for all requisite equipment and logistics support.

He pledged commitment to peace and security in Imo, the South-East, and Nigeria.

A highlight of the event was the distribution of food to troops and officers of the operation by the GOC in a demonstration of his appreciation for their loyalty. 

(NAN)