*’Okuama Saga’ll Not Repeat’
By Emmanuel Ogoigbe, in Ughelli
Irked by the high rate of insecurity in some parts of the Niger Delta, General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigeria Army, Major General Ejim Emekah, has been doing the rounds rallying influential persons in the region, in a bid to restore normalcy.
Some of the personalities he visited were royal fathers.
Accompanied by the Commander, 63 Brigade, Delta State, Brig. Gen. M. A. Shonibare, the GOC parleyed with traditional rulers in Ughelli North Local Government Area (LGA).
Speaking to newsmen at the ancient palace of the traditional rulers of Ughelli Kingdom,His Royal Majesty Evang. (Prof.) Oharisi III, the GOC said the purpose of the visit was to strengthen existing cordial relationship between monarchs and the military.
According to him, it was also to enhance military operations through improved intelligence gathering to create a crime-free environment in their domains.
“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 bunkering, but today the situation is calm, and Delta State is stabilized now”, Maj. Gen. Emekah noted.
Corroborating the GOC’s position while responding to a question on the Okuama matter, in which the community was leveled following the murder of soldiers by few persons, Brig. Gen. Shonibare said the Okuama saga is a thing of the past, adding that it will not repeat itself.
“The general security challenge of Delta State is our concern, not just Okuama, but the State as a whole,” he stressed.
Earlier, in his speech at the palace, Maj. Gen. Emekah thanked the traditional rulers for honouring their letter seeking the visit, noting that “good things” have been happening in Ughelli North LGA as there have been evidences of success in military operations in the kingdom and the entire Council Area.
“Before now Abraka, Kwale, and neighbouring communities have been engulfed in serious issues but now Delta State is stabilized,” he noted.
In his welcome address, HRM Oharisi III emphasized the importance of the visit, emphasizing that traditional rulers and well-meaning individuals in the LGA were overjoyed by the visit.
According to him, the visit will further cement the cordial relationship among the people of Ughelli Kingdom and the LGA.
The royal father maintained that security is a serious concern for every progressive human being, pointing out that where security is lacking, anarchy reigns supreme.
“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 peace of mind to think and invest in technologies that could enhance a better life for human beings,” Oharisi III noted.
While assuring the Army of the monarchs’ cooperation in the fight against crime 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.”
