Brigadier General Babatunde Omopariola has officially taken command of the 17 Brigade of the Nigerian Army and assumed the role of Commander, Sector 2 Joint Task Force Northwest Operation HADARIN DAJI (JTF NW OPHD).
In a statement signed and made available to SMARTS NEWS by the Acting Assistant Director Army Public Relations of the Brigade, Lieutenant Oiza Mercy Ehinlaiye, the Handing and Taking Over ceremony took place at the Brigade Headquarters, Natsinta Cantonment, Katsina.
Brigadier General Omopariola succeeds Brigadier General OA Fadairo, who has been reassigned to lead the 12 Brigade in Lokoja.
During the ceremony at the 35 Battalion Parade Ground, Brigadier General Fadairo expressed his gratitude to the officers and soldiers of the Brigade for their steadfast support during his tenure and urged them to continue their dedication under the new leadership.
In his first address as the Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Omopariola thanked Almighty God for the smooth transition and expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General TA Lagbaja, for his confidence in appointing him to this critical role.
He acknowledged the achievements of his predecessor and emphasized his commitment to working closely with all officers and soldiers to ensure peace and stability within the Brigade’s Area of Responsibility (AOR).
The ceremony concluded with the formal signing of the Handing and Taking Over notes, the symbolic Handing Over of the Command Flag, and a Quarter Guard parade.
Prior to this new role, Brigadier General Omopariola served as the Chief of Staff at the Headquarters 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt. He also extended his best wishes to Brigadier General Fadairo in his new command at Lokoja.
