By ERIC MOORE
THE General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army (NA), Major General Jamal Abdussalam, has reiterated that 6 Division, will continue to work closely with the Department of State Services (DSS) in tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta Region (NDR).
He made this known Friday, when the newly posted State Director Security (SDS), Rivers State Command, Mr. Benedict Akinkumi, paid him a courtesy call at Headquarters, 6 Division, Port Harcourt, Barracks.
The GOC, while thanking the SDS for the visit, stressed the need for information sharing among security agencies in the NDR.
He said this would assist in effectively addressing the complexities in the operating environment.
The GOC further stated that 6 Division had been collaborating with other security agencies in this regard, resulting in the conduct of several successful operations.
Major General Abdussalam maintained that the Division had scaled up the fight against illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft, and other sundry crimes.
He averred these have exerted so much pressure on the criminals, who are resorting to other forms of criminalities to raise funds.
Crimes such as sea piracy and kidnapping have been identified, and flashpoints have been clearly delineated, as appropriate responses would be brought to bear on those areas.
He also assured the SDS and other security agencies that the Division under his watch would continue to do whatever it takes to keep the region safe and secure
The GOC added that the Division would not fold its arm and allow criminality to thrive. He expressed optimism that the new SDS, giving his pedigree in previous appointments held, would bring his experience on board.
Earlier, the SDS, Mr Akinkumi, said he was at the Division to seek guidance and collaboration, as he hits the ground running in Rivers State.
He further pointed out that the DSS cannot do it alone, given the complex nature of the operating environment; hence, the need for a functional collaboration among security agencies.
Mr Akinkumi stated that such collaborative efforts would go a long way in making the DSS operate successfully in the state.
The added, while in Bayelsa State, that he had a good working relationship with other security agencies, most especially the NA.
He said this enabled him to operate seamlessly and called for support, reassuring that flashpoints of criminal activities have been identified and efforts would be streamlined to handle the situation accordingly.