By Matthias Ogbagah, Achoja Oghenemine & Bright Oboreh
UGHELLI – IRKED by the high rate of insecurity in some quarters of the Niger Delta region, the General Officer Commanding 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Major General E.E. Emekah, was accompanied by the 63 Brigade Commander in charge of Delta State, Brig. Gen. Shonibare paid the traditional rulers in the Ughelli North local area a courtesy visit.
Speaking to newsmen at the ancient palace of the Great Ughelli Kingdom, Major General Emekah said the purpose of the visit is to strengthen the existing cordial relationship between the monarchs and the military, as well as explore ways to enhance the military operations through improved intelligence gathering to create a crime-free environment in our domain.
“We want to nip insecurity in the bud. We are here to solicit the cooperation of the monarchs in information gathering in our operations. We need information from the communities for successful operations.
“Initially, we had challenges of kidnapping, robbing, and bickering, but today the situation is calm, and Delta State is stabilized now”.
Collaborating with the General Commanding Officer 6 Division, Nigerian Army, the Brigade Commander 63 Brigade in charge of Delta State, Brig. Gen. M.A. Shonibare said the Okuama saga is a thing of the past, and it will not repeat itself. The general security challenge of Delta State is our concern, not just Okuama, but Delta State as a whole.
Earlier in his speech, Maj. Gen. E.E. Emekah thanked the traditional rulers for honouring their letter of visitation. He noted that good things have been happening in Ughelli North Local Government Area; there has been a lot of success in their operation in the Ughelli kingdom and the entire council area. Ughelli is peaceful. He said.
“Before now Abraka, Kwale, and neighbouring communities have been engulfed in issues but now Delta State is stabilised”
In his welcome address, the traditional ruler of the Great Ughelli kingdom, HRM Evang. Prof. W.O. Oharisi III JP+ (API) emphasized the importance of the visit, adding that the traditional rulers, every well-meaning individual in Ughelli-North, are overwhelmed with the visit.
According to him, the visit will further cement the good cordial relationship between the good people of Ughelli kingdom and Ughelli North as a whole.
“Talking about security is talking about the safety of lives and properties. Security is a serious concern for every progressive human being. Where security lacks, anarchy and crises would reign.
“Anarchy and crises give rise to oppression, uncertainty of life, and indeed life would be short. We are seriously concerned about security because we are modern kings who seek the progress of humanity. We therefore desire a better future for humanity as a whole. This feat can only be achieved in a secure society where people can have the peace of mind to think and invest in technologies that could enhance a better life for human beings. He noted.
“So to make the world a better place, we must not only care about security but also ensure that there is enough security in our society for the betterment of society. That is one of the greatest contributions we can make for humanity in our lifetime”.
While assuring the Nigeria Army of the monarchs cooperation in fight against crimes in their kingdoms, he said, “We have maintained a mutual understanding and adequate co-operation with the Army and other security agencies, including the police and the various local vigilante groups operating within Ughelli-North Local Government Area and its environs, and we make sure, in our capacity that there is no breakdown of law and order as they go about their roles lawfully”.
