The General Officer Commanding (GOC), 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Auwalu Mahmuda, has commended troops operating around Old Oyo National Park for their resilience and achievements, urging them to sustain pressure on bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements.
Mahmuda gave the commendation on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, during a visit to the Forward Operating Base (FOB), Igbeti, in Olorunsogo Local Government Area of Oyo State.
On arrival at FOB Igbeti, the GOC was received by the Commander, 2 Division Garrison, Brigadier General Emmanuel Azenda, and the Commander of the newly established 8 Brigade, Oyo, Brigadier General Austin Obochi.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, October 28, by the Acting Deputy Director, 2 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Jonah Danjuma, Mahmuda said he had been monitoring operational developments in the national park and its environs, expressing satisfaction with the troops’ efforts to tackle security threats in the area.
The GOC charged the soldiers to consolidate their gains, maintain effective control of their operational areas and deny criminal elements freedom of action.
“Ensure you clear the OONP and its environs of bandits, terrorists and other criminal elements,” he said.
Mahmuda disclosed that the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, was pleased with the troops’ resilience, urging them to redouble their efforts to achieve lasting security in the area.
He also acknowledged the contributions of other security agencies and local vigilantes, stressing the importance of cooperation among security stakeholders in tackling criminal activities.
“We cannot thank you enough for what you are doing,” he said.
The GOC later received operational briefings from the Commanding Officer, 242 Reconnaissance Battalion, Colonel Godwin Akuve, and the Operations Officer, Major Osaigbovo Ero, at FOB Igbeti.
