The Rivers State Governor, Siminalayi Fubara, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army in securing oil and gas facilities and other critical national assets, as the state prepares to host a new military brigade in Ahoada.
Fubara gave the assurance on Friday when he received the new Commander of the 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Brigadier General Ismaila Sule, at Government House, Port Harcourt.
The governor said the state government would sustain and improve its support for the military, particularly in protecting oil pipelines and other strategic infrastructure essential to Nigeria’s economic interests.
He described the relationship between Rivers State and the Nigerian Army as longstanding and mutually beneficial, noting that successive administrations had maintained cooperation with the military in addressing security challenges.
According to him, supporting security agencies is a fundamental responsibility of government rather than an extraordinary gesture, given the critical role security plays in promoting economic activities, social stability and national development.
Fubara congratulated Sule on his posting to Rivers State and expressed confidence that the existing partnership between the state government and the military would be strengthened under his leadership.
The governor also welcomed the establishment of a new Army brigade in Ahoada, describing the development as a strategic intervention expected to address security concerns in the area.
He said the new military formation would help reduce tension, agitation and other security challenges affecting communities in that axis of the state.
Fubara expressed appreciation to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the decision to establish the new formation in Rivers State.
He said the state government was committed to creating an environment that would enable security agencies to discharge their responsibilities effectively while respecting the rights of citizens.
The governor stressed that his administration would not ask the military to act outside its professional and statutory responsibilities or engage in actions aimed at oppressing any citizen.
He maintained that his government’s overriding interest was to promote peace, stability and development across Rivers State.
Fubara further noted that Sector 3, which is responsible for protecting critical national assets, including oil pipelines, had continued to receive substantial support from the state government.
He assured the military that the assistance would be sustained and improved to enhance operational effectiveness and strengthen security across the state.
Earlier, Sule thanked the governor for the reception and acknowledged the consistent support the Nigerian Army had received from the Rivers State Government.
The commander said he had been briefed by his predecessors on the state government’s cooperation with the military and conveyed the appreciation of the military high command for the partnership.
He explained that his visit was to formally introduce himself to the governor and outline his plans for engaging security formations and communities across the state.
Sule disclosed that he intended to tour all 23 local government areas of Rivers State, as well as nearby military formations, as part of efforts to familiarise himself with the security situation and strengthen operational coordination.
He also confirmed that Rivers State would benefit from the federal government’s plan to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, following a directive by President Tinubu.
Under the expansion plan, Ahoada is expected to host a new brigade alongside its affiliated battalions.
According to the commander, the additional military presence would help address security challenges in the area and strengthen the Army’s capacity to maintain peace across the state.
Sule assured the governor that the Army, under his command, would work to improve security and promote lasting peace in Rivers State.