The Commander of the Joint Force in the Niger Delta Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Joseph Okojie, on Friday assumed duty in Yenagoa, Bayelsa.

At the handing and taking over ceremony, outgoing Commander of ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, Major General Alani Okunlola, thanked military authorities for giving him the opportunity to serve.

The change of guards in the leadership of the outfit followed the change by the Defence Headquarters from the ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, to the ‘Operation Delta Safe’ on Wednesday.

While urging operatives and staff to accord the cooperation and support he enjoyed to his successor, Okunlola outlined some achievements and challenges encountered during his ten months reign as Commander of the Joint Task Force.

These according to him included checkmating oil theft, illegal oil activities, kidnapping and other criminal activities in the region.

Okunlola will resume duties in his new posting as Director of Administration, Defence Headquarters, Abuja.

The New Commander of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’, Okojie thanked the President, the Chief of Defence Staff and the Service Chiefs for their vision in restructuring the Joint security outfit in the Niger Delta.

Okojie who was until his recent appointment was the Flag Officer Commanding the Naval Training Command, Apapa, Lagos pledged to consolidate on the successes recorded so far.

Highpoint of the brief ceremony was inspection of guards mounted in honour of the two military top brass by troops of the ‘Operation Delta Safe’.

Earlier, the joint force in its efforts to deepen Civil-Military relations in the Niger Delta region donated educations materials and hospital equipment to Ibru College, Agbaraoto and General Hospital all in Ugheli, Delta.

Principal of Ibru College, Mrs Magreth Ajobo, who received the items which included computers, exercise books, generator, books and furniture pledged to immediately put the computers to use by the students.

Col. Ephraim Essien who represented the outgoing Commander Okunlola also presented medical equipment donated by the joint military force to General Hospital, Ugheli noted that the gesture was meant to build public confidence and promote cordial relations with the military.

Chief Medical Director of the hospital Dr Cecil Abere said the items which include wheelchairs, drugs, medical consumables, beddings amongst others came at a time of need.

He pledged to sustain the cooperation existing between the hospital and the military. (NAN)

•Photo shows outgoing Commander of ‘Operation Pulo Shield’, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola.

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