Army Vows To Meet Internal Security Challenges

Former Secretary to State Government and senatorial candidate for Rivers South-East, Hon Magnus Abe (left) chatting with Engr King Kpunee during the funeral ceremony of late Eunice Ngbogbara, at Yeghe in Gokana Local Government Area of the State, on Saturday.

The General Officer Commanding 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Sarkin Yakin Bello, says the Nigerian Army is poised to meet internal security challenges which are now Nigeria’s contemporary problem.

General Bello, who stated this during a courtesy call on Governor Chibuike Amaechi in Government House, Port Harcourt, identified the new internal security challenges as kidnapping, terrorism and armed banditry among others.

As part of the efforts to confront this,  he said the Army under his command plans to have more forward operational bases so as to be able to respond to the issues quicker and more effectively.

General Bello said already the recently launched Operation Jubilee in Abia State had produced a 95% success rate, and would soon rise up to 100 per cent, adding that the 82 Division was the first division in Nigeria to have “full complements of three fighting brigades”.

“All other divisions, including mine before, were having two fighting Brigades,” he said, adding that the new Brigade headquarters would be located at Ohafia in Abia State and quartered at the abandoned military barracks under repairs now.

He expressed appreciation to the Rivers State Governor and the state government for all the assistance the division had received in the performance of its duties.

“Whatever General Bello had achieved in life, what people don’t know, is that Governor Amaechi is behind it”, the G.O.C declared, adding, “if I am writing a book about my experiences in the Niger Delta and South-East, I will dedicate a chapter to the Rivers State Governor”.

Responding, Governor Chibuike Amaechi, lauded the Nigerian Army for its patriotic zeal towards the restoration and sustenance of peace and security in the state.

The Governor noted that since assumption of office, he had seen in the G.O.C. and other security Commanders in the State, the patriotic zeal and commitment to fight crime and ensure the safety of lives as well as property of citizens.

While observing that there was a significant improvement in the security situation owing to the sacrifices made by the security agencies in the state, Governor Amaechi said, “the military has demonstrated that if politicians give you the political will, you can do well towards restoring peace and security in the country”.

He further assured the Nigerian Army to always count on the support of the State Government towards achieving its objectives.