In continuation of his familiarization tour to formations and units under command, the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (South- South) Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Everest Okoro, has charged troops of 16 Brigade Nigerian Army to intensify efforts towards the protection of critical national infrastructure within their Area of Responsibility (AOR).
A statement signed by Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adam Acting Deputy Director 6 Division Nigerian Army Public Relations said he gave the charge during his maiden operational visit to Headquarters 16 Brigade Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State from 5 – 7 August 2026.
Addressing troops during the visit, Major General Okoro urged them to remain proactive in identifying emerging security threats and criminal flashpoints within their AOR. He stressed the need for timely action to prevent acts of sabotage against critical national assets, which he described as vital to the nation’s economic stability and development. He therefore urged the officers and soldiers to be more committed and steadfast in the discharge of their duties.
Furthermore, the GOC emphasized the importance of professionalism, discipline and political neutrality in the discharge of military responsibilities. He reminded the troops that their conduct must at all times reflect the values and standards of the Nigerian Army, particularly in their interactions with the civil populace and during operations within their areas of responsibility. Therefore, Major General Okoro urged the Brigade to sustain the effective deployment of human intelligence and non-kinetic approaches, including regular town hall meetings and other community engagement initiatives. He noted that maintaining constructive relationships with host communities remains essential to obtaining credible information and addressing security challenges before they escalate.
Earlier, the Commander 16 Brigade Nigerian Army and Sector 2, Joint Task Force (South- South) Operation DELTA SAFE, Brigadier General Nurulhayat Mohammed, welcome the GOC and presented a detailed brief on the Brigade’s operational, administrative and logistics activities. He also highlighted achievements, identified prevailing challenges and outlined projections for enhanced operational effectiveness. As part of the tour, Major General Okoro, visited 16 Field Engineer Regiment, Toru-orua Sagbama LGA Bayelsa State, Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion VIII Ahoada, 5 Battalion and 343 Artillery Regiment Elele Barracks Rivers State, where he received separate operational briefs from the respective Commanding Officers.
The GOC also visited the Headquarters Joint Task Force (South- South) Operation DELTA SAFE, Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy and the Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force, where he was received by Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Admiral Sulaiman Ibrahim and Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi respectively. The senior commanders pledged continues cooperation and inter-service collaboration in strengthening security and safeguarding critical national infrastructure within their areas of responsibility. The visits featured presentation of briefs, inspections of ongoing projects, assessment of Nigerian Army lands, address to troops and commissioning of the Regimental Sergeant Major’s official residence at 5 Battalion, Elele Barracks, among other activities.
