The Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, has described as a national embarrassment, the failure of the military to curtail the reckless use of firearms by non-state actors.
The governor 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.
“When the military, for whatever reason overlooks such acts of lawlessness displayed by non-state actors, who should have nothing to do with possession of firearms and using it to intimidate law-abiding citizens, it raises concerns about what has become of our country,” he lamented.
He urged the military to end such national embarrassment by saying; “There is a camp somewhere in Degema, I want to ask, do 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 where they have a base and charged them to do everything possible to end the security breaches there and make it safe for residents and travellers who use the road. He asked the military to be part of providing security to guarantee peace that will promote development.
Maj. Gen Abdussalam explained that having been posted to the state on this assignment, he visited to introduce himself, solicit support and cooperation from the state government.
He commended the state government for the several material and logistics support given to the army and pledged that the division will provide adequate security to ensure the successful completion of the Port Harcourt Ring Road project.
