Report by NASIR MALALI; Editing by BASIRAT MEMUDU
The 8 Division Nigerian Army in Sokoto has described its West African Social Activities-WASA, as an essential tool to maintaining peace, unity and development in the west African Sub-region.
The General Officer Commanding of the Division, Major General Ibikunle Ajose stated this at this year’s event held at the 26 Battalion Sokoto state.
Ajose said WASA enable officers, soldiers, and their families to interact in a conducive atmosphere.
He explained that the history of the event dates back to 1901, during the incorporation of Nigeria into the West African Frontier Force, due to the diverse cultural inclinations of West African soldiers, the authorities at that time introduced WASA annually for troops to participate in their local cultural activities.
The GOC noted that the peace, unity and discipline maintained in the Nigerian Army is the results of the WASA aims and objectives in the west African sub region.
Major General Ibikunle Ajose also looked at the achievements recorded by the Division on the fight against banditry and other insurgency happening in the North West.
He said in the year 2024, the Division succeeded on its combat operations and infrastructural development.
He said the success included the operationalisation of the 248 Recce Battalion in Illelah, the deployment of the Chief of Army Staff Special Intervention Battalion VII in Gudu LGA and the launch of new NAF air assets and other combat enablers in Sokoto State.
According to him, the developments served as force multipliers, leading to several successes in the army’s operations
across the 8 division area of responsibility, progressively and steadily won by the
troops of operations Fansan Yamma under the Division as several bandit leaders and the supporters have been eliminated.
In a remark, the Governor of Sokoto State, Ahmed Aliyu, represented by his Special Adviser on Career and Security Matters, retired Colonel Ahmed Usman commended the army’s efforts in maintaining a strong connection to its cultural background.
Aliyu said the occasion serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility in promoting mutual understanding, respect, and solidarity among various groups and communities in West Africa.
