The Defence Headquarters has appointed a new commander for the ongoing operation aimed at ridding the Niger Delta region of criminal elements, codenamed ‘Operation Delta Safe’
The new commander, Apochi Suleiman, a Rear Admiral in the Nigerian Navy, takes over from the former commander Joseph Okojie who has now been reassigned.
According to a statement signed by Kingsley Umoh, on behalf of the acting director of defence information, Rabe Abubakar, Suleiman was the Director Development at the Defence Headquarters before his new appointment.
He had also served as the Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command.
The statement added that a change in the leadership of the operations in the Niger Delta became necessary “in order to inject new capability to contain the prevailing security threats and provide adequate much needed stability in the region.”
Umoh also stated that the appointment “is with immediate effect.”