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 to intensify efforts to protect critical national infrastructure across its area of responsibility.
Okoro gave the directive during his maiden operational visit to the Headquarters of 16 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, as part of his familiarisation tour of formations and units under his command from August 5 to 7, 2026.
A statement signed by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Nigerian Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adam, said the GOC urged the troops to remain proactive in identifying emerging security threats and criminal flashpoints within their area of responsibility.
He stressed that timely intervention was necessary to prevent sabotage of critical national assets, which he described as vital to Nigeria’s economic stability and development.
Okoro said, “I urge you to be more committed and steadfast in the discharge of your duties, particularly in protecting critical national infrastructure within your area of responsibility.”
The GOC also charged the troops to maintain professionalism, discipline and political neutrality, reminding them that their conduct must reflect the values and standards of the Nigerian Army.
He further directed the Brigade to strengthen the use of human intelligence and non-kinetic approaches, including regular town hall meetings and other community engagement initiatives.
According to him, “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, briefed the GOC on the Brigade’s operational, administrative and logistics activities.
Mohammed highlighted the Brigade’s achievements, prevailing challenges and measures being considered to improve its operational effectiveness.
During the tour, Okoro also visited the 16 Field Engineer Regiment in Toru-Orua, Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State; Chief of Army Staff Intervention Battalion VIII, Ahoada; 5 Battalion and 343 Artillery Regiment, Elele Barracks, all in Rivers State, where he received separate operational briefings.
The GOC also visited the Headquarters of Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation DELTA SAFE, Eastern Naval Command of the Nigerian Navy and the Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force.
The commanders of the formations, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo, Admiral Sulaiman Ibrahim and Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi, respectively, pledged continued cooperation and inter-service collaboration to strengthen security and safeguard critical national infrastructure.
The visits also featured inspections of ongoing projects, assessment of Nigerian Army lands, interaction with troops and the commissioning of the Regimental Sergeant Major’s official residence at 5 Battalion, Elele Barracks.