19 February 2014, Enugu – The new General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu, Major General Shehu Yusuf, has warned kidnappers and oil thieves operating within the South East and Niger Delta to steer clear or be ready to face the wrath of the law.
General Yusuf, who assumed office as GOC, 82 Division at a ceremony in Enugu, warned that the division would not tolerate any form of insecurity with the states under its control.
He said the army would change its strategy to ensure adequate security for the people under the division.
The new GOC, who until his elevation was the commandant of the Depot, Nigerian Army, advised kidnappers and oil thieves to move out of the 82 Division, vowing that he would spear-head serious fight against perpetrators of crimes.
Yusuf recalled how he drove out oil thieves while he was serving in Calabar as well the leading role he played during the successful fight against kidnappers in Abia State, assuring that he was ready to do exactly the same in his new territory of command.
”There is definitely going to be a cordial relationship with the entire service agencies. We can always protect all those who give information. All those who are penetrating those crimes should start leaving 82 Division.
”For kidnapping, we were able to successfully achieve a reasonable level of sanity in Abia territory in 2010. I tell you I was one of those who started that operation and we are going to be as proactive as possible,” Maj. Gen. Yusuf said.
He urged the civilians to assist the military with information, adding that his division required the co-operation of civilians to tackle insecurity.
He averred that the best way to tackle insecurity was to be ahead of all forms of insecurity and assured that the Nigeria Army would tackle the security challenges in some Northern states under the division.
– Tony Edike, Vanguard