The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has pledged to strengthen the state government’s partnership with the Nigerian Army and other security agencies to protect critical national assets and combat economic sabotage across the state.
Fubara made the commitment on Tuesday when the newly deployed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6th Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Port Harcourt.
Okoro was accompanied by senior officers and other security personnel from the 6th Division, which has operational jurisdiction over Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta and Akwa Ibom states.
The governor, while welcoming the GOC to Rivers State, described the state as the “Treasure Base of the Nation” and said the relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Army had existed long before his administration.
Fubara said the partnership had remained particularly important during periods of heightened security challenges, noting that the Army had consistently provided support to the state when necessary.
“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,” he said.
The governor assured the new GOC that his administration would provide the necessary support to enable him to effectively discharge his responsibilities.
He stressed that the security challenges confronting Rivers and the wider Niger Delta required a coordinated response involving government, the military, other security agencies and local communities.
According to him, the protection of critical national assets, particularly oil and gas infrastructure, must remain a priority because of the strategic role of Rivers State in Nigeria’s economy.
Fubara said criminals engaged in vandalism and destruction of national assets could only be effectively confronted through collective action by all relevant stakeholders.
“We understand the kind of trying times that we are already in; it is not a time where 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.
The governor emphasised that the relationship between the state government and the Army should be regarded as a partnership rather than a routine security 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,” Fubara declared.
He urged the GOC to give priority attention to the security of Rivers State, citing its importance to Nigeria’s economic activities and national development.
Fubara also prayed for a successful tenure for Okoro and assured him of the state government’s continued support for troops serving in various formations and units across the Niger Delta.
In his response, the GOC, Major General Everest Ifeanyi Okoro, assured the governor that the 6th Division would sustain its efforts to protect lives and property and safeguard critical infrastructure in Rivers State.
Okoro acknowledged the importance of maintaining relative peace in the state, describing it as essential to both the socio-economic development of Rivers and the broader interests of the Nigerian economy.
He, however, noted that security threats including pipeline vandalism, cult-related violence and other forms of criminality remained areas of concern requiring continued vigilance.
The GOC said the Army would strengthen intelligence gathering and collaboration with stakeholders to address the emerging threats.
He identified the Rivers State Government, traditional rulers and community leaders as key partners in providing the intelligence and local support required to prevent and respond effectively to security challenges.
Okoro also said the 6th Division would continue to implement the vision of the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, with particular emphasis on operational effectiveness and joint operations.
“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 expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Government and residents for their continued support for the Nigerian Army and other security agencies operating in the state.
He called for the partnership to be sustained, particularly through improved intelligence sharing, community engagement and other forms of cooperation.
“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 assured the governor that the 6th Division under his leadership would remain committed to creating a secure environment conducive to economic activity and social 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 said.
The meeting between the governor and the GOC comes as security agencies continue to focus on protecting oil and gas infrastructure and addressing other forms of criminality in the Niger Delta.
For Rivers State, where oil and gas activities constitute a major component of the economy, the protection of pipelines and other critical infrastructure remains central to maintaining economic activity and preventing revenue losses associated with vandalism and illegal activities.
