Outgoing General Officer Commanding, GOC, of the 7 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maiduguri, Victor Ezugwu, a Brigadier General, has attributed the successes recorded so far in the ongoing counter-insurgency operation in the North East to the doggedness and determination of the Nigerian troops.

Ezugwu made the remarks on Wednesday while delivering a farewell speech to soldiers and officers of the division, following his redeployment to Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria, Kaduna State in the recent shake up in the Nigerian Army.

While commending the troops for their support and loyalty to him during his tenure as the Acting GOC, Ezugwu called on them not to waver in their determination to flush out the remaining terrorists in the region.

He said: “The successes recorded so far is as a result of collective efforts of all of you here. I cannot take this glory alone because I could not have achieved anything without your support and encouragement.”

The army commander also paid tributes to past GOCs of the Division whom he said laid solid foundation.

“We cannot forget the efforts of our past GOCs who laboured to build this Division before my assumption of duty as the 6th GOC.”

Ezugwu also paid tribute to the many soldiers who lost their lives in the war against insurgency, describing them as heroes.

“The death of these gallant men and women will not be in vain. We that are still alive must double our efforts towards total elimination of insurgency in the region so that their death will not be in vain,” he said.

The outgoing GOC also reserved commendation for the Chief of Army Staff, COAS, Tukur Buratai who “provided us with all we needed to fight this war.

He practically took it upon himself to plan the war strategies and we all can see the results of such efforts”.

Ezugwu described the incoming GOC of 7 Division, Ibrahim Yusuf, as a hardworking and gallant senior officer who knows the terrain very well having served as Brigade Commander in the Theater.

He urged the troops to fully support him in order to achieve better results.

Ezugwu served as GOC of 7 Division for 18 months before his recent redeployment to the Nigerian Army Depot, Zaria.

The GOC also paid a farewell visit to the Chairman of the Borno State Council of Traditional Rulers, the Shehu of Borno, Abubakar Ibn Umar Garbai El Kanemi, who expressed satisfaction on the leadership qualities of the outgoing GOC.

There was also a valedictory mass held in honour of the outgoing GOC, Ezugwu at Our Lady Queen of Nigeria Catholic Church Maimalari Cantonment in Maiduguri, Borno State.

Also, as part of the farewell activities, the outgoing GOC commissioned a newly constructed bungalow for the use of the 7 Division Garrison Commander.

A novelty volleyball ball match was  organised in his honour at the newly-constructed Lieutenant Colonel Umar Multipurpose Sports Complex in Maimalari Cantonment, after which a cocktail was also held at Wolf Officers’ Mess in Maiduguri, Borno State.