19th July, 2023
By Okafor Ofiebor/Port Harcourt
Governor of Rivers, Sir Siminalayi Fubara has described the prevailing practice of fully armed youths boldly setting up camps for criminal activities with the knowledge of the Nigerian military in various parts of the state as a national embarrassment.
Fubara said this when calling on the Army to use its full force to clamp down and bring to justice criminal elements operating armed camps in some communities in the state and who are brandishing sophisticated firearms publicly.
Fubara made the observation when he hosted the new General Officer Commanding, (GOC) 6 Division Nigerian Army/Land Component Commander Joint Task Force (South-South) Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam at Government House in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
According to him, “When the military, for whatever reason, overlooks such acts of lawlessness displayed by none state actors who should have nothing to do with possession of firearms, but are using it to intimidate law-abiding citizens, it raises concerns about what has become of our country”.
Governor Fubara urged the military to end such national embarrassment by saying; “There is a camp somewhere in Degema. I want to ask, does our laws now allow individuals to start showcasing AK-47s? Have our laws got to that point where people can brandish arms before military personnel and you don’t do anything about it? It is an insult to the State and Federal Government of Nigeria”.
Fubara also called the attention of the military to the incessant breakdown of law and order at the Elele axis of Emohua Local Government.
He noted that the situation has persisted despite a military base in the area.
He therefore urged the military to do everything possible to end the security breeches and make the place safe for residents and travelers who use the road.
He asked the military to join in providing security in Rivers to guarantee peace that will promote development of the state.
In his remark, Major General Jamal Abdussalam explained that having been posted to the state on this assignment, he visited to introduce himself.