Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has charged the Nigerian Army to intensify the fight against criminal elements and adopt proactive measures to protect lives, property and critical economic assets across the Niger Delta.
Oborevwori gave the charge on Tuesday when the newly appointed General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Port Harcourt, Major General Everest Okoro, paid him a courtesy visit at Government House, Asaba.
Okoro is also the Land Component Commander of the Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe.
The governor urged the new GOC to be decisive in tackling criminality, stressing that the security of the Niger Delta was directly linked to the economic wellbeing of the country.
“If this region is safe, the economy will go up. If there is unrest in this region, the economy will go down,” Oborevwori said.
He described the 6 Division as a strategic operational formation with a critical role in maintaining peace across the region, urging Okoro to sustain proactive security operations and strengthen collaboration with other security agencies.
“I congratulate you on your new posting as the GOC 6 Division. This is a very strategic operational division. I pray for your guidance, wisdom and success during your time here,” the governor said.
Oborevwori assured the Army chief of the state government’s continued support and cooperation, saying the relative peace currently enjoyed in Delta was largely the result of sustained collaboration between the government and security agencies.
He said Delta’s strategic position as a major oil-producing state made the protection of the state crucial to Nigeria’s economic stability.
“Delta State is very, very key to the economy of Nigeria, and we rely on the security agencies to do their work because the peace we are enjoying today is the result of collaboration between the state and the security agencies,” he said.
The governor commended the Army and other security agencies for their efforts in securing the state, noting that his administration had continued to provide infrastructure and logistics to boost their operational capacity.
He disclosed that the state government recently constructed one-unit flats at the Amphibious Army Barracks in Agbor and had provided sustained logistical support to the 63 Brigade.
“This is just one of our initiatives among others to support the Nigerian Army. We assure you that we will continue to give you support and collaborate with the Nigerian Army for a safer and more prosperous region,” Oborevwori said.
The governor also recalled his previous involvement with the Presidential Amnesty Programme and his close working relationship with security agencies in the Niger Delta, assuring the new GOC that the state’s partnership with the military would continue.
Earlier, Okoro said the visit was part of his familiarisation tour of military formations and units under his command following his assumption of duty.
He commended Oborevwori for what he described as purposeful leadership and strong support for Delta’s security architecture.
Okoro said Delta’s oil and gas infrastructure, waterways and other critical national assets made the state strategically important to Nigeria’s economic and energy security.
He identified the protection of critical national assets and the security of states within the Division’s area of responsibility as priorities under his command.
The GOC said credible intelligence, realistic training and close coordination among security agencies and other stakeholders would be critical to tackling security threats.
He pledged to safeguard critical national assets, defeat threats within the Division’s area of responsibility and accomplish assigned missions through disciplined leadership, realistic training and seamless joint operations.
Okoro also commended the cordial relationship between the Delta State Government and the Nigerian Army, particularly the 63 Brigade, and called for its continued sustenance.
