Nasarawa State Governor, Engineer Abdullahi Sule has commended the Nigerian Army, under the leadership of the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt- General Yusufu Buratai, for upgrading the Special Forces Corps, located in Doma, to a command.

Engineer Sule showed his appreciation while hosting the outgoing Commander of the Special Forces Corps, Maj. Gen.  G. Oyefesobi, at the Government House, on Friday.

The Governor specifically thanked the COAS for constantly keeping Nasarawa State close at heart, monitoring developments in the state.

Engineer Sule equally commended the series of victories recently recorded by the joint special forces taking the fight to the Boko Haram terrorists in the North East.

The Governor expressed satisfaction that at the time an outstanding officer in the person of Maj. Gen Oyefesobi was leaving , another veteran who is familiar with the North East and the offshoot of the Boko Haram, is also coming to the state.

Though noting that presently the state is going through a trying moment in terms of security, especially around the Toto area, Engineer Sule pointed out however that Nasarawa State is not volatile but one of the most peaceful states in the North Central.

On the security challenge in Toto, the Governor said:  “I have been speaking with the military hierarchy concerning the situation in Toto and if there is any better time for your presence to strengthen Nasarawa State, this is the time.”

Welcoming the new Commander of the Special Forces Command Doma, Maj. Gen M. G Ali, the Governor was optimistic that the new commander will build on the good work of his predecessor.

“Honestly speaking we want to thank you, we really want to show appreciation and we want to welcome you Maj. Gen Ali for coming home with your team. And we strongly believe that just like Maj. Gen Oyefesobi is leaving with pride, you will also leave with pride,” he stated.

Earlier, Maj. Gen Oyefosobi, in his farewell speech, recounted that the Special Forces Corps was established by the Nigerian Army in December last year,  as a fallout of the COAS reaction to the security situation not only in the country but in Nasarawa State in particular.

Oyefosobi described the Special Forces as a versatile special unit that is meant for only special operations, especially with Nasarawa State not having any military presence apart from Keffi, for which the COAS deemed it fit to establish the headquarters of Corps in Nasarawa State, to take care of the security situation.

He disclosed that last month, the COAS,  decided to upgrade the corps to a command status, with the command now more of an operational status, not administrative.

Maj. Gen Oyefosobi introduced the new Commander, Maj. Gen M. G Ali, as resourceful and a veteran of the North East.

According to the outgoing Commander, Maj. Gen Ali commanded the Special Forces in the North East a while ago