Following the outbreak of the tragedy that struck Nigerian soldiers leaving them with scores of death, the Niger Delta Development Commission, NDDC, has called for collective efforts and supports for the military and other security agencies in order to maintain peace and order in Niger Delta region.
Managing Director of the commission, Dr Samuel Ogbuku, announced this recently, when he went in accompany of some Executive Directors of the commission to pay condolence visit to General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam at the 6 Division headquarters in Port Harcourt, over the killing of 17 soldiers in Okuoma, Ugheli South Local Government Area of Delta State; revealing
that maintenance of peace and security in Niger Delta region will pave way for development to thrive.
He expressed his heartfelt condolences and that of the Governing Board of the commission to the families of the slain military personnel and the Armed Forces family; assuring that NDDC would continue to support the military and other law enforcement agencies in their mission to maintain peace in the Niger Delta region.
In his words: “Without security there will be no development because security and development are intertwined.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with you, the families of the fallen heroes, and the entire armed forces. The NDDC is willing to assist in supporting the families of those that lost their lives.
“The peace in the region was shattered by the gruesome murder of our soldiers in Delta State. We felt it was necessary to come to commiserate and grieve with the army. This incidence is an aberration that does not define the people of the region. We condemn it in its entirety”.
However, Ogbuku made it known that Niger Delta is the bedrock of the Nigerian economy, therefore, it is imperative we give peace a space to reign within the region. We call on our people to be calm and support the Nigerian Army to fish out the perpetrators of the crime so that justice can be served.
Also, he charged the military to observe the rules of engagement while undertaking their investigations in order to protect the lives of innocent members of the community.
Meanwhile, as he aptly responded to a request from the 6 Division, Nigerian Army, for the completion of the NDDC jetty project in Warri, he hinted that work would commence soon, adding that the project had been re-assigned to another contractor.
Speaking earlier, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division of the Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, noted that the development of the Niger Delta region could only take place when peace and security were guaranteed.
While lamenting over the several loss of some gallant soldiers, he maintained that the killing of the men in military uniform was an assault on the Nigerian nation.
The General Officer Commander unveiled that the military would not rest until the perpetrators of the crime were apprehended and brought to justice; appealing to people in the various communities to assist the army with any useful information to help fish out the culprits and recover all the missing arms.
“We will be fair, firm, decisive and professional. We will be in the area until we achieve the objective of apprehending the criminals and recovering our arms.
Present at the visit was the NDDC Executive Director, Finance and Administration, Alabo Boma Iyaye; the Executive Director, Projects, Sir Victor Antai and other directors of the Commission.
