The Ogun State Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun has attributed the peace and security enjoyed in the State to dedication and cooperation of men and officers of the Nigerian Army with other security agencies in riding the State of criminals.

          Governor Abiodun who stated this in Abeokuta, when he received the outgoing Commander, 35 Artillery Brigade, Alamala, Abeokuta, Brigadier General Adewale Adekoya, who came to introduce his successor, Brigadier General Isa Abdullahi, said the Army has been helpful in his administration's effort at curtailing crimes and criminalities in the State.

          Abiodun described the outgoing Commander as a tenacious and amiable officer who discharged his duties creditably well, appreciated him for the time he spent in the State, saying "during your time here, you cooperated very well with the security architecture of the State and there has been good collaboration between you and the other members of our security agencies.

          "That is what has been responsible for the peace that we are enjoying in Ogun State, it has allowed us to occupy that pride of place as the most peaceful State in the country", he said.

          The Governor stated that his administration has done a lot at improving the security architecture by reconstituting the Security Trust Fund, equipping security agencies with modern gadgets, as well as providing patrol vehicles and motorbikes, assuring that more would be done to support security personnel in the State.

          Welcoming the new Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Abdullahi to the State, Prince Abiodun said "you are welcome back to the State, it is a pleasure to have someone who has actually worked here in the past, we pray for the repose of Brigadier General Olatunde's soul, he was someone that our path crossed while I was seeking this office and he was someone that discharged his duties very responsibly, it is unfortunate that he didn't live to see us occupy the seat.

          "But it is heartwarming that someone who worked very closely with him and who is also very familiar with this terrain, someone who we do not need to recount the history of how we came into power succeeded him’’, he said.

      The Governor while wishing the new Commander a successful duty in the State, described him as a capable officer who is not a stranger to the State, pointing out that the Army would be needed to maintain peace and orderliness, while his administration concentrates on creating an enabling environment for more investment in the State.

          Speaking earlier, the outgoing Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Adekoya, lauded the Chief of Army Staff for giving him the opportunity to serve in his State of origin, said his stay has provided him the opportunity to know the politics and climate, describing the people as friendly and enlightened with a called on them to support the new Commander to enable him serve them better.

          In his remark, the new Commander, Brigadier General Abdullahi, noted that his posting is a normal military routine, just as his knowledge of the State would help in contributing to its security, urging the people to support him to succeed in his new assignment.