In a strategic effort to foster peace and enhance the protection of critical national infrastructure, service chiefs in Rivers State, led by the Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Adepoju, held an interactive session on Wednesday, 16th April, with stakeholders in Gokana Local Government Area (LGA).
The engagement took place per the directive of the Sole Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas (Rtd), who mandated security agencies to interface directly with relevant individuals and groups.
During the meeting, CP Olugbenga Adepoju emphasised the collective responsibility of safeguarding vital federal assets located within the LGA, particularly considering recent threats to national infrastructure.
He reiterated the unified stance of all security agencies towards ensuring sustained peace and security in Rivers State.
He emphasised that the infrastructure within the community is a shared heritage and highlighted the collective responsibility of all stakeholders to protect it. He noted that there had been incidents involving individuals attempting to vandalise pipelines and urged the communities to collaborate in defending these vital assets by providing credible intelligence to security agencies.
According to him, the purpose of the engagement was to listen to the grievances of the people, evaluate the extent to which community efforts align with ongoing security operations, and ensure that the concerns raised are effectively communicated to the appropriate authorities.
He further noted that the collaboration of communities with security formations remains crucial in achieving long-term stability.
Representatives from various security agencies in Rivers State were present at the meeting, including; Deputy Director representing the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS), The Garrison Commander, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Commander, 115 Special Operations Group, Nigerian Air Force, Head of the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) Pathfinder, Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
During the interactive session, many attendees expressed their concern and collective aspirations. Chief Priscilla Dikue, a representative of Gokana women, emphasised the importance of women’s involvement in security matters, stating that when women participate in security, governance is more effective.
She assured that women would actively engage in the peace process, pledging that they would speak to their youth and children to help sustain peace in the community.
A youth leader, Gbere Kpakol, highlighted the issue of pipeline vandalism, attributing it to the lack of youth engagement. He expressed concern that companies operating within their domain often overlook the input of paramount rulers.
He noted that Gokana hosts the largest manifold in the state and appealed to the government to consider awarding contracts to the local community as well.
Another attendee drew attention to the presence of a well-equipped computer-based testing (CBT) centre in Gokana. He called on the state government to liaise with the Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) to accredit the centre, allowing local students to sit for their examinations within Gokana, rather than travelling to Port Harcourt.
Secondus Menemu, a representative of persons living with disabilities, stated that the government should allocate a greater employment quota to this group, noting that they have long been marginalised.
In his remarks, the Sole Administrator of Gokana LGA, Professor Gospel Kpee, expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between the government, security agencies, and local stakeholders.
He acknowledged that Gokana, which spans both upland and riverine communities, has enjoyed relative peace and stability in recent times.
Professor Kpee welcomed the security chiefs, describing the engagement as timely and necessary to reinforce trust, cooperation, and security consciousness among the people.
The Rivers State Police Command and sister agencies reaffirm their commitment to promoting dialogue, strengthening community-based security mechanisms, and protecting all critical assets within the state.
