RismadarVoice Reporters, July 25, 2026
The newly appointed General Officer Commanding (GOC) of the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, and Land Component Commander of Joint Task Force (South-South), Operation DELTA SAFE (OPDS), Major General Everest Okoro, has formally assumed command as the 12th General Officer Commanding of the Division.
The change of leadership follows the recent appointment and redeployment of senior officers by the Nigerian Army, marking a new chapter in the Division’s efforts to strengthen security operations and safeguard critical national assets in the Niger Delta region.
According to a statement issued by the Acting Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel Umar Adam, the outgoing General Officer Commanding, Major General Emmanuel Emekah, reflected on his tenure with gratitude, thanking the Chief of Defence Staff and the Chief of Army Staff for the opportunity to serve and contribute to national development.
In his farewell address, Major General Emekah noted that appointments made during his leadership were based strictly on merit, emphasising professionalism and competence as key considerations. He also highlighted the operational achievements recorded under his command, particularly in the protection of Nigeria’s oil and gas infrastructure.
The outgoing GOC revealed that when he assumed office on 24 January 2025, the country’s daily crude oil production stood at approximately 1.3 million barrels per day. He attributed the subsequent increase to about 1.5 million barrels per day to the sustained efforts of troops of the 6 Division and other security agencies engaged in combating crude oil theft, pipeline vandalism, and other forms of economic sabotage across the Niger Delta.
He urged his successor to sustain the operational momentum and consolidate on the gains already achieved. Major General Emekah also charged officers and soldiers of the Division to remain disciplined, professional, and unwavering in their commitment to duty, warning against any conduct capable of tarnishing the image and integrity of the Nigerian Army or undermining national security.
Taking over command, Major General Everest Okoro expressed appreciation to the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, for the confidence reposed in him through the appointment. He pledged to justify the trust placed in him by providing purposeful leadership and ensuring operational effectiveness within the Division’s area of responsibility.
Major General Okoro described his predecessor as a distinguished and accomplished officer, recalling that their professional relationship dates back to their training days at the Nigerian Defence Academy. He commended Major General Emekah for his leadership, mentorship, and remarkable service, while congratulating him on the successful completion of his tenure and wishing him success in his new assignment.
The new GOC assured officers and soldiers under his command of his commitment to building on the achievements of the outgoing commander. He pledged to intensify efforts to protect critical national infrastructure, strengthen ongoing operations against crude oil theft and pipeline vandalism, and sustain the improved level of crude oil production to support national economic growth and revenue generation.
According to him, the 6 Division Nigerian Army plays a strategic role in maintaining security across the South-South geopolitical zone, where it leads military operations aimed at protecting vital oil and gas installations, combating militancy, curbing illegal oil bunkering, and supporting other security agencies in maintaining peace and stability across the Niger Delta.
