–Blank NEWS Online (NIGERIA) –By Albert OGRAKA:
The much awaited security outfit in Delta State, codenamed, “Operation Delta Hawk”, has been formally inaugurated to residents of the state to assist in tracking down criminals and their cohorts.
Inaugurating the new security outfit at its official headquarters in Asaba on Thursday, December 10, 2020, Governor Okowa said it was a proactive step towards checkmating insecurity in all parts of the state headlong, since the challenge of insecurity was already taking alarming dimension.
He noted that Operation Delta Hawk which comprised of different security agencies and vigilante group would assist in flushing out criminal elements and criminality in the state.
“Today, we have finally come to inaugurate the Operation Delta Hawk which is a journey that we started a year ago. We had to put in a lot of planning into it. I must truly thank all our service commanders for all that they did to ensure the success of the operationalisation of the Operation Delta Hawk.
“In Delta State, just like other states of the federation, there is no doubt that a lot of kidnapping still take place, there is a lot of banditry, cultism and it is really getting difficult for us to face and worst still is the clashes between herdsmen and farmers.
“Deltans are watching and as they watch, I seek their prayers, partnership and corporation. They need to offer support for the Operation Delta Hawk and for the organised private sectors, I believe that they have a role to play to offer support in terms of both logistics and vehicular support to the Operation Delta Hawk, nothing is too small, nothing will be too big to support this great team that has been put together.”
He called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth leaders and other critical stakeholders across the state to assist the new security outfit, just as he pledged to procure more operational vehicles and other security gadgets by next year.
Earlier in his address, the Secretary to the State Government, Mr. Chiedu Ebie who thanked Governor Okowa for providing the fund and other logistics for the seamless take off of Operation Delta Hawk, charged the officers and men involved in the fight against crime to put in their best with a view to justifying government’s huge investment in the security architecture.
He said that the new security outfit was a clear indication that the security of residents of the state was very dear to Governor Okowa, adding “what we are witnessing today, is the culmination of 12 months of intense research, planning and engagement aimed at finding a lasting solution to the problem of insecurity in Delta State.
The Coordinator of Operation Delta Hawk, Hon. David Tonwe said no effort would be spared in making the state safe for all.
In their separate remarks, the Chairman, Delta State Security Trust Fund (DSSTF), Elder Emmanuel Ogidi and the Executive Secretary of the agency, Chief Sam Osasa said that the DSSTF was set to advance security in the state and sued for the contribution of the private sector and donor agencies as government cannot do it alone.
On their part, the Chairman, Delta State Traditional Rulers Council, Dr. Emmanuel Efeizomor II and the first Vice Chairman of the Council, the Orodje of Okpe, Orhue the first, thanked the governor for the bold step and called on residents of the state to assist the new security outfit so as to achieve set goals.
Items inaugurated at the flag off ceremony included operational vehicles, body armour, communication gadgets and other security apparatus used in gathering information on security related issues.
