……As Nigerian Army Creates New Division In Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta State
Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta state has attributed the level of peace achieved so far in the state and Niger Delta region in particular to the effort of the military joint task force in conjunction with other security organs in curtailing security challenges in the region.
The governor who stated this Monday, when he played host to the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General Ene Obong Udoh and other top officers of the division in his office in Asaba, noted that the military has shown a lot of professionalism in handling security issues in the country, and specifically observed that the military in conjunction with other security organs have recorded successes in curbing security challenges, in the region.
According to Okowa, his administration at the height of militancy in the Niger Delta which led to the destruction of national assets, set up a high powered advocacy committee led by his Deputy, Mr. Kingsley Otuaro, saying that the advocacy visits to the creeks in the region made traditional rulers to instill in their subjects the need to sheath their swords.
“We have achieved a reasonable level of peace in our state and I want to commend the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osibanjo who visited our state, traditional rulers, our youths and the security agencies for the different roles they played for us to enjoy peace. The security council meeting has been regular in the state to ensure that impending security challenges are nipped in the bud.”
Governor Okowa, who commended the Nigerian Army for setting up a new division for the oil producing states in the Niger Delta noting, said that a greater presence of security agencies will enable the region have peace in a faster manner.
“The peace of this state of recent, has been disturbed by the activities of herdsmen and we need to make this known because, the frequent clashes between herdsmen and our farmers are becoming a huge challenge to us; we hope that the Federal Government will proffer solutions through enduring policies.” Okowa stressed.
Meanwhile earlier, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Rivers State, Major General Ene Obong Udoh had informed Governor Okowa and members of the state executive council that he was in the state to inform the government that a new Division of the Nigerian Army has been created to cater for the security challenges in the Niger Delta area comprising Akwa Ibom, Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta State, saying that military formations of the new Division will be sited in different parts of the state.
