Wike launches Operation Sting to tackle insecurity

Governor Nyesom Wike Friday launched a new Security outfit code-named Operation Sting in what is so far considered as his administration’s boldest response to the escalating insecurity in Rivers State since the conclusion of the 2019 general elections.

Speaking during the event, the Governor said Operation Sting would be fully funded by the Rivers State Government with the aim of tackling criminal elements and reducing crime and criminality in all parts of the state.

“Operation Sting” is, therefore, our own specialized and dedicated security initiative anchored on an integrated and complementary approach, fully funded by the Rivers State Government to effectively tackle both the sources and drivers of insecurity in their diverse criminal manifestations and operations and nib them in their buds or rout and root them out of existence” he declared.

The Governor added: “Under Operation Sting we have taken concrete steps to strengthen the logistics and operational capability of the civil and armed security forces”.

He said to ensure that the new security outfit responds effectively across the state, his administration provided the right logistics and equipment, which according to him included: “76patrol/operational vehicles fitted with communication gadgets; 8 armoured fitted gunboats, to tighten coastal security and protect our waterways from the activities of criminals; 2 Armoured Personnel Carriers for Police swift response actions and 450 hand-held mobile radios to enhance communication among the security operatives and overcome the current wide gaps in intelligence gathering”.

The Governor further said that the State Government has established operational bases in all the 23 Local Government Areas to strengthen the command and control structures of the initiative and ensure effective coordination and synergy between the state headquarters, the Local Government Areas and the communities to achieve the common objectives of providing comprehensive security cover for our State.

He said: “To achieve quick, timely and effective response we have established 30 toll-free emergency call centres with the capacity to support and transmit 30 concurrent calls from the public during distress situations and or during ongoing criminal activities in or around our neighbourhoods”.

Wike explained the operationalization of Operation Sting across the state is also expected to increase citizens’ awareness and make the public to be more alive to the dangers of insecurity and their responsibility to be part of the present crusade to stamp this menace from the state.

While appreciating the officers and men who will participate in the new security architecture, the Governor said that the State Government has set up a fund to cater for their families, should they suffer any mishap in the course of service.

He acknowledged that the state has faced major security challenges in the area of kidnapping, cultism, armed robbery and community conflicts saying that the state is not yet as peaceful as the administration desires, hence the renewed effort to stamp out criminality.

Wike spoke further: “It is this spirit that has led us to come to terms with the fact that insecurity, irrespective of the level of manifestation, whether big or small, violent or otherwise, is an insidious threat to our individual and collective development and prosperity.

This being so, it is has become rather compelling for us to bring all elements of state power, Federal, State and Local, to bear against every security threat to our State, our persons and our property, including those posed by pastoral conflicts and kidnappers, in order to create and sustain the right social environment to drive our development.”

He specifically assured riverine communities that his administration would ensure their safety stressing that Operation Sting has been mandated to also work on security in the waterways.

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In his remarks, Garrison Commander of 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Adeola Kalejaiye said that the armed forces will leave no stone unturned in ensuring the security of lives and property in Rivers State.

He said that Operation Sting will act on all credible information from members of the public to ensure that any form of insecurity is handled.

Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Mustapha Dandaura said that objective of Operation Sting is to get rid of criminals and reduce crime to the barest minimum and assured the people that the logistics provided by Governor Wike would be used to fight insecurity in the state.

He said in the next month, the improvement of security would be noticed.

Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Dr Tammy Danagogo said that Operation Sting is an initiative of Governor Wike to promote security in the state adding that it was another strategy by the Rivers State Governor to enhance the security of Rivers people.