The Delta State Governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, has charged the Nigerian Army to end clashes between farmers and herders and other security challenge in the state.
Okowa challenged the army when he commissioned the 63 Brigade Headquarters Complex in Asaba, the state capital.
Okowa, who recently decried renewed attacks by suspected herdsmen in parts of the state, urged the Army to help the state in achieving its desired peace as quickly as possible.
He said, “Thank God today, the 63 Brigade is formally operationalised and I do hope this will help us in achieving our desire peace.
“As a state, we take security issues very seriously. We will continue to prioritise the needs of security agencies in the state.
“We do hope things will be better as we commission this brigade today because the issue of farmers/herders, kidnapping are still big challenges to us.”
Responding, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General, Tukur Buratai, assured the governor and the people of the state that the establishment of the 63 Brigade Headquarters Complex in Asaba meant adequate security in the state.
He advanced the reason for the establishment of the 63 Brigade in Asaba, saying the strategic position of the state to the sea borders made it imperative for the army to set up the brigade in the state.
“The establishment of the brigade is as a result of strategic reasons. Delta is open to the sea and the military has a role like the navy to complement the security in the sea borders. The army will continue to partner with other security agencies in the country to ensure that the country is secured” he said.
Buratai appreciated the efforts of the state government in supporting military operations in the state, promising that the army will reciprocate the state government’s gestures by ensuring that the state is free of crimes.
