Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to strengthen the state government’s partnership with the Nigerian Army to protect critical national assets and tackle economic sabotage in the state.
Fubara made the commitment on Tuesday when the General Officer Commanding, 6th Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Port Harcourt.
Okoro was accompanied by senior military officers and other security personnel from the 6th Division, which has operational jurisdiction over Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
Welcoming the newly deployed GOC to Rivers State, Governor Fubara said the relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Army predated his administration and had remained crucial in addressing security challenges.
He said the army had consistently provided support to the state during critical periods, adding that his administration would maintain and deepen the existing relationship.
“The Rivers State Government didn’t start this partnership today. It is a system that has been existing. As a matter of fact, I know the wonderful relationship that the immediate past administration enjoyed with the Nigerian Army. In most of our critical times, the Nigerian Army has always been there to give us the necessary support,” Fubara said.
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The governor assured Okoro of the state government’s support in his new assignment, stressing that the prevailing security situation required collaboration among government and security agencies.
He particularly highlighted the need to protect oil and gas infrastructure from vandalism and other forms of economic sabotage.
“We understand the kind of trying times that we are already in; it is not a time when you can do it on your own. It is a time when all the units and the stakeholders must come together and join hands to make sure that we protect our valuable assets from these criminals that have decided that their only stock in trade will be to vandalise and destroy critical national assets and make the state and the nation suffer,” he said.
Fubara stressed that the relationship between the state and the military should be regarded as a partnership rather than mere collaboration.
“The Rivers State Government will partner with you as the General Officer Commanding the 6th Division of the Nigerian Army. We’ll also partner with every other sister agency who work with you – the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigerian Navy- to make sure that we succeed as a team,” the governor declared.
He urged the GOC to prioritise the security of Rivers State, describing its stability as strategically important to Nigeria’s economy. He also assured the GOC and troops serving across the Niger Delta of the state government’s continued support.
Responding, Major General Okoro assured the governor that the 6th Division would sustain efforts to protect lives, property and critical infrastructure in Rivers State.
The GOC said the relative peace in the state was essential to its socio-economic development and national growth, but warned that security threats, including pipeline vandalism, cult-related violence and other crimes, required continued vigilance.
He said tackling the challenges would depend on sustained intelligence gathering and collaboration with the state government, traditional rulers, community leaders and other stakeholders.
Okoro also pledged to align the operations of the 6th Division with the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, particularly through operational effectiveness and joint operations with other security agencies.
“We shall continue to ensure the pursuit of operational effectiveness and ensure a seamless joint and multi-agency collaboration for my troops. I can guarantee you that we will continue to maintain the utmost level of professionalism in the discharge of our constitutional responsibility,” he said.
The GOC appreciated Governor Fubara, the state government and the people of Rivers for their continued support for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies.
He called for stronger information and intelligence sharing, community engagement and other forms of cooperation to improve security operations.
“I wish to most sincerely appreciate the government and the people of Rivers State for the continued support to the Nigerian Army as well as other security agencies. I respectfully look forward to the sustenance of this collaboration, particularly through enhanced information and intelligence sharing, community engagement and other forms of support that will facilitate the effective discharge of our responsibilities,” Okoro said.
He further assured the governor that the 6th Division under his command would remain focused on securing Rivers State and creating an environment conducive to socio-economic development.
“Let me assure His Excellency that under my command, the Division will remain dedicated to protecting lives and property, safeguarding critical national infrastructure, and supporting the civil authority in creating the enabling environment for our people to thrive,” he stated.
