Governor of Bayelsa State, Senator Douye Diri, has given kudos to the outgoing General Officer Commanding (GOC) 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major. Gen. Jamal Abdusalam, for maintaining neutrality during the November 11, 2023 governorship election in the state.
Governor Diri also commended the professionalism of Gen. Abdusalam, the military and the other security agencies during the poll.
According to a press release on Friday, 17th January 2025 signed bythe Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Daniel Alabrah, he gave the commendation on Thursday when Abdusalam paid him a courtesy visit in Government House, Yenagoa.
The governor said the role played by security operatives, particularly the Nigerian Army, contributed largely to the peaceful and credible governorship poll in the state.
Diri expressed the appreciation of the state government to the outgoing GOC and his team for working closely with other sister security agencies to maintain law and order in the state, noting that his leadership was exemplary.
His words: “On behalf of the state government, l thank you profusely for being a fine officer and a thoroughbred professional. I particularly want to appreciate you and your team of officers for ensuring that you were non-partisan during our 2023 governorship election in the state.
“Bayelsa is peaceful and secure because you have been working with other security agencies to keep the peace in the state. You have done well and l hope your successor will continue in your stead and even do better.
“As you move on to other responsibilities, we see you as an ambassador of Bayelsa State and we urge you to portray our state in a positive light.”
In his remarks, Maj. Gen. Abdusalam said he had been posted to the Nigerian Army Headquarters having accomplished his task at the division.
He expressed gratitude to the state government for its support to the command, which he said enhanced their operations, particularly in the building of accommodation blocks in the barracks and other logistics support.
Highlighting some of the division’s achievements, he said upon assuming office in April 2023, the country’s crude oil production was 998,000 barrels per day but at the end of last year, it increased to 1.88 million barrels per day.
He also stated that they were able to dismantle illegal crude oil refineries within his area of operation and significantly reduced criminal activities in the South-South, making it one of the safest geo-political zones in the country.
