The Administrator of Rivers State, Vice Admiral (Rtd) Ibok Ete Ekwe Ibas, has met with heads of paramilitary organisations, tasking them to work and collaborate with other security agencies to keep the state safer and peaceful.

The Administrator stated that there can not be any meaningful development without a thriving peaceful environment, adding that efforts must be intensified to ensure that criminal elements are not emboldened to cause insecurity.

Vice Admiral Ibas (Rtd) gave the charge when he met with Heads of Paramilitary Organisations at Government House in Port Harcourt on Friday.

The Administrator explained the necessity of meeting with them as critical stakeholders in the fight against crime and criminality and acknowledged their contributions to ensuring a peaceful Rivers State.

Ibas urged them to participate effectively in joint operations geared towards degrading the capabilities of criminal elements within the state and contribute their quota in combating the activities of criminals in the state.

“If you have people who can conduct their legitimate business and they are not able to conduct their business as enshrined in our laws, then they lose out, and criminals take over control of the state,” he said.

“I will, therefore, be needing you in all aspects of maintaining this law and order. It, therefore, means that in conducting your various roles, you must have at heart the interest of Nigeria and the people of Rivers State in particular.”

Ibas pointed to the importance of encouraging dialogue that can support the efforts of intelligence gathering in addressing issues of kidnapping, illegal, and communal conflicts.

The Administrator frowned at a situation where vehicles with no registered plate numbers or concealed ones are allowed to ply the roads within the State, which poses security threats.

Vice Admiral Ibas also observed that tankers overturned on roads, perhaps due to their poor state of condition, and sometimes due to the actions and inactions of other road users, causing obstructions.

The Administrator insisted that such acts considered serious traffic offenses, must be curbed to minimize the number of casualties and deaths witnessed on the roads.

Speaking, the Controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Rivers State Command, Mr. Felix Madumere, acknowledged the valuable information the Administrator shared with them, saying it will help their daily operations.

Madumere, while wishing the Administrator success in his mandate, assured that they will provide needed support to ensure that the Administrator leaves an enduring legacy of success. (The Guardian)