Oborevwori combating insecurity in Delta

ALL over the world the security of lives and property remains the primary purpose of government because where there is no law anarchy will be the order of the day and even when there is law without enforcement of that law it is tantamount to saying that that law does not exist.  It is with the above in mind that the Delta State Government ably led by Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is ensuring that the lives and property of Deltans are secured and protected from any incursion or attacks from non-state actors and criminals bent on unleashing mayhem on innocent citizens.  Penultimate Thursday, the world woke up to hear of the dastardly killing of four military officers and thirteen soldiers at Okuoma community in Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.  Okuama community is said to be involved in a communal clash with neighbouring Okoloba community of Bomadi local government area of the State.

The DHQ gave the names of the slain Army officers and soldiers as Lt. Col. AH Ali (Commanding Officer, 181 Amphibious Battalion); Major SD Shafa; Major DE Obi; Capt. U Zakari, and Sgt. Yahaya Saidu.  Others included Cpl Yahaya Danbaba; Cpl Kabir Bashir; LCpl Bulus Haruna; LCpl Sole Opeyemi; LCpl Bello Anas; LCpl Hamman Peter; LCpl Ibrahim Abdullahi; Pte Alhaji Isah; Pte Clement Francis; Pte Abubakar Ali; Pte Ibrahim Adamu, and Pte Adamu Ibrahim.  Following the death of the officers, Governor Sheriff Oborevwori in a press statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Festus Ahon on Saturday, condemned, in very strong terms, the unprovoked killing of officers and soldiers attached to 63 Brigade at Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.  He condoled with the military and the families of Officers and Soldiers who died in the attack saying: “The Government of Delta State is gravely disturbed by the violence and unprovoked killing of the officers and soldiers, which he described as alien to the culture of Deltans.

“This incident is despicable and not in sync with the culture and tradition of Deltans. It runs contrary to the values and path of peace that the State Government is promoting as I have always emphasized in our MORE agenda to enhance peace and security.  On behalf of the Government and good people of Delta State, I wish to condole, in particular, the families of the killed gallant officers and soldiers, the Nigerian Army and the Armed Forces of Nigeria in general, over this sad occurrence. The state government shall take all measures necessary to fish out all those behind this dastardly act and ensure they are made to face the full wrath of the law.”

Last Monday Governor Oborevwori attended a state security Council meeting at the Army base in Bomadi where he was joined by top security officers including the G.O.C 6 Division Nigeria Army, Maj Gen Jamil Abdussalam, the JTF Commander, Real Admiral John Okeke and Commander 63 Brigade Brig. Gen. Ugochukwu Unachukwu.  After receiving briefing from the security top brass he proceeded to Abuja to brief President Bola Tinubu who is the Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces. After meeting with the President, Governor Oborevwori spoke to State House Correspondents where he assured that there will be no more attacks on the communities adding that no innocent citizens would suffer for the despicable acts committed by criminals.  He said: “The two communities in question have been having issues for years and last month on the 7th of February they were invited by the state government, where the members representing the two local governments, the council chairmen and leaders of the communities, agreed to work together and they signed a peace accord.  We condemned the killing of the officers and the soldiers because they were there on peace mission. What is happening now is something that we did not bargained for.  I want to assure everybody that there will be no more attack on the villages if there is anyone that has happened in the past, there will be no more attack but we know that those who are culpable will be brought to book; the innocent citizens will not be attacked. The issues of whether a place has been burnt down or people have been killed, it has happened and what we want is the way forward.  The way forward is two ways. The people that has been killed, the officers and soldiers, we must see how we can find succur for their families and how they can be given a befitting burial, and then the community, anything that has happened in the community in the past will not happen again.”

Last Thursday, Governor Oborevwori briefed traditional rulers in the state on the security situation and cautioned them against shielding suspects involved in the killing of four military officers and thirteen soldiers in Okuama community, Ughelli South Local Government Area of the state.  Governor Oborevwori while addressing the traditional rulers, on the unfortunate incident at the State Traditional Rulers’ Council Secretariat in Asaba, said that the act was alien to the state, describing it as barbaric, inhumane and unacceptable and vowed that those who committed the evil act must be made to face the full wrath of the law. He said no kingdom should shield the perpetrators of the dastardly act, adding that Delta was governed within the tenets of the rule of law and human decency.  “I felt that it is proper that I brief you people even though you may be aware. Those people who committed that evil act must face the wrath of the law. No kingdom should shield those criminals because Delta state is governed by the tenets of the law and human decency.  We cannot tolerate that. It has never happened in this state; to kill one Lt. Colonel, two Majors, one Captain and 13 Soldiers. We need to fish out those involved.”

Do not hide or shield anybody. The Chief of Army Staff and Mr. President have assured me that innocent people will not be victimised; unless you connive with the killers of the soldiers.  I have briefed you and make sure that you fish them out from your kingdoms. If any traditional ruler shields a criminal, that traditional ruler is inviting trouble. Don’t allow anybody who committed this evil act to come to your kingdoms and bring problem to your community.”

In a related development, Governor Oborevwori also briefed the Delta State Advisory and Peace Building Council where he urged them to talk to the people on the need to maintain peace across state, adding that government would not allow trouble makers to dissuade investors from coming to invest in the state, stressing that sustainable peace was needed to attract investors to the state.

• Ahon is Chief Press Secretary to the Delta State governor.

ALSO READ: FG, NAFDAC to ban syringe imports, boost local manufacturing