Dr Ifeanyi Okowa, Governor of Delta state inspecting a guard of honour during an interface with security forces in Delta state.
By Collins Agwam
In recent times, the issue of insecurity has been a very challenging one in Nigeria. Insecurity challenges ranging from banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery among others have sent many Nigerians to their early graves.
Delta state as one of the federating units in the country, sure has it fair share of these challenges. As it is often said that, “when the head is sick, the body also is sick”.
During the electioneering in 2015, Dr Ifeanyi Okowa who was then governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) toured the 25 local government areas of Delta state. He made a promise to the people that if he is elected into office, he would ensure that the issue of insecurity In the state becomes a thing of the past.
True to his word, Ekwueme as his political associates call him, on assumption of office immediately swung into action, applying several anti-criminal templates to track down on bandits, kidnappers, armed robbers and other criminal elements in the state. This, he did with the help of the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other sister security agencies who have been making frantic efforts to keeps the state safe.
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The efforts of the Governor to address the issue of insecurity In Delta state did not go unnoticed which was why Deltans came out en mass during the 2019 Governorship election and unanimously voted for the Governor for a second term in office in order for him to continue with his giant strides.
But the Governor who is a loving father, a man who is concerned about the welfare of all Deltans felt he needed to do more to ensure that the state is completely free of these criminal elements which was why he recently inaugurated the Operation Delta Hawk, a new security outfit to enhance security of lives and property in the state.
Inaugurating the new security outfit at its official headquarters in Asaba, Governor Okowa said that “Operation Delta Hawk” was a proactive step towards checkmating insecurity in all parts of the state headlong, stressing that the challenge of insecurity was already taking alarming dimension.
He noted that security operatives have given their best in the fight against cultism, herders/farmers clashes, kidnapping, armed robbery and other heinous crimes, adding that Operation Delta Hawk which comprised of different security agencies and vigilante group would assist in flushing out criminal elements and criminality in the state.
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The governor affirmed that the unity among different security agencies in the state had helped in promoting peace building and the fight against criminal elements and pledged to continue to invest resources into the security sector for the overall development of the state.
Governor Okowa said Delta State being a home for all, was not an avenue for armed herdsmen to cause mayhem, adding that those masquerading as herdsmen with weapons would be given a hot chase and made to face the full weight of the law.
“Today, we have finally come to inaugurate the Operation Delta Hawk which is a journey that we started a year ago. We had to put in a lot of planning into it. I must truly thank all our service commanders for all that they did to ensure the success of the operationalisation of the Operation Delta Hawk.
“I am truly very glad this day and I must let the Service Commanders know that I am truly very happy that today has come. There has been a lot of unity among them and that has enabled us to do the much we have been able to do. Obviously, there is a lot more to be done and that is what has given rise to Operation Delta Hawk”, the governor said.
Patrol vehicles donated by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa led administration at the launch of Operation Delta Hawk.
Okowa urged the Service Commanders to do everything within their powers to ensure that the security outfit grows very fast and become very effective so that Deltans will be proud of the efforts of the government and members of the security outfit.
He thanked the Secretary to the State Government for the great work that he put in to give birth to Operation Delta Hawk, saying that, ” Our nation is at a time where there is a lot of insecurity and even while the state government and various agencies in charge of security are doing the best that they can, obviously we are still having a lot of challenges and therefore, we are thinking of new ways of ensuring the security of our people. That is actually what gave birth to this Operation Delta Hawk”.
Okowa prayed God to help and strengthen the officers and men to produce the required results while calling on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders and other critical stakeholders to assist the new security outfit to deliver on the mandate given to them.
Earlier in his address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie thanked Governor Okowa for providing the fund and other logistics for the seamless take off of Operation Delta Hawk. He charged the officers and men involved in the fight against crime to put in their best with a view to justifying government’s huge investment in the security architecture.
Ebie said that the new security outfit was a clear indication that the security of residents of the state was very dear to Governor Okowa, adding “what we are witnessing today, is the culmination of 12 months of intense research, planning and engagement aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in Delta State.
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“It also marks the beginning of a new era in the efforts of the Delta State Government under the distinguished leadership of His Excellency, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, to enhance the safety and security of the lives and property of all persons resident in Delta”, the SSG said.
The Coordinator of Operation Delta Hawk, Hon. David Tonwe promised to put in his best to ensure that Delta state is completely free from criminal activities while thanking the Governor for finding him worthy to serve the state.
Some of the Items presented to the combined team of the newly inaugurated security outfit during the flag off ceremony include; Operational vehicles, Body armour, Communication gadgets and other security apparatus used in gathering information on security related issues.
Collins writes from Asaba (agwamcollins@gmail.com)
