Abia State Governor, Alex Otti has applauded the outgoing Commander, Nigerian Army, 14 Brigade, Ohafia, Brigadier General Olusola Diya for his tireless efforts in keeping Abia peaceful and safe while he served in the State.

Governor Otti stated this on Wednesday at Nvosi, Isiala Ngwa South during the the official introduction of the Commander of 14 Brigade, Brigadier General Hassan Muhammad Bello.

He said Brigadier Diya left behind an excellent record of performance and urged his successor to build on what the outgoing Brigadier General had done to ensure a peaceful Abia.

Otti expressed shock on the transfer of General Diya from the State even as he challenged the New Brigade Commander to initiate new ways of fighting crime in the State.

“His transfer came to us as a rude shock. We knew he would leave but didn’t know it would be this quickly. We thank God because he is still in the service and still a member of this family,” Gov. Otti stated.

While introducing the new Brigade Commander to the Governor, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security matters, Navy Commander MacDonald Ubah (Rted), said that Governor Otti sees security as the bedrock of any society.

Earlier, the outgoing Commander, Brigadier General Olusola Diya said that Abia remained a family to him having served the State for a year and said that his successor would do better than him.

He appreciated Governor Otti for his assistance in ensuring that Abia is kept safe.

Also speaking, the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Hassan Muhammed Bello while expressing joy to be in the State, promised to work with other security agencies to sustain and improve on the gains of his predecessor, as well as support the vision of Governor Otti in making Abia the most peaceful and secured State in Nigeria.