Respected Niger Delta socio-cultural group, the Orashi National Congress, ONC, has welcomed the Federal Government’s approval for the establishment of a new Army Brigade with affiliate battalions in Ahoada, Rivers State, describing it as historic, strategic and long overdue.
The approval was disclosed by the Commander, 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3, Joint Task Force South-South, Operation Delta Safe, Brig. Gen. Ismaila Sule, during a courtesy visit to Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, at Government House, Port Harcourt.
In a statement signed by its President-General, Amb. Comrade Emeni Ibe, ONC said the Orashi region, which sits as the gateway to the entire Orashi bloc and Northern Rivers, has for years been the epicentre of cult-related violence, communal clashes, kidnapping along the East-West Road, illegal bunkering in the Orashi forest and attacks on critical national assets including oil pipelines.
According to the group, the absence of a full Brigade left a wide security vacuum that criminals exploited.
The apex socio-cultural body of Abua/Odual, Ahoada West, Ahoada East and Ogba/Egbema/Ndoni Local Government Areas therefore commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his directive to expand the Nigerian Army from eight to twelve Divisions, noting that the reform is the reason Rivers State, and specifically Ahoada, is now benefiting.
It also thanked the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. Waidi Shaibu, and the Chief of Defence Staff for siting the strategic formation in Ahoada, noting that it will improve rapid response, deter criminality and boost investor confidence in Orashi.
The Congress further thanked Governor Fubara for his support to the Nigerian Army, lauding him for pledging improved support for Sector 3 and for assuring the Army that his administration will never ask the military to act outside its statutory duties.
ONC called on Orashi youths, traditional rulers and community leaders to give maximum cooperation to the incoming Brigade when deployed and to provide credible intelligence to flush out criminal elements.
The group emphasized that the new Brigade will not only secure lives and property but will also secure oil and gas infrastructure vital to both Rivers State and the national economy.
“We have cried for years for this. Today, the Federal Government has answered us. This Brigade will bring peace to Ahoada, end the era of fear on our roads and forests, and restore confidence in Orashi land,” Ibe stated.