FromIsaac Job, Uyo
The 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, has urged Akwa Ibom residents to provide information on security threats in their areas to enable prompt action to forestall any form of insecurity, particularly kidnapping.
The Commander, 2 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Brigadier General Alexander Tawasimi, made the call over the weekend while hosting the Executive of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, during a courtesy visit.
Tawasimi, who is also the Commander of Sector 4, Joint Task Force, South-South Operation Delta Safe, advised residents of the state in response to issues of kidnapping in some local government areas of Akwa Ibom, especially in oil-producing communities and the state’s waterways.
He explained that kidnappers and bandits would not dare to operate in areas occupied by the army, urging the people to always provide credible information to the military.
He also urged Akwa Ibom residents to be vigilant and cautious of unfamiliar faces in their environment and report any suspicious movements to the authorities.
“Akwa Ibom is very peaceful and safe, but the challenge we are grappling with at the moment is criminality, kidnapping. We are not spirits; we cannot be everywhere or know everything. Anywhere we are based, and kidnappers know that we are there, they will never operate there.
“What we are asking for is the passage of information from the public. If you are in a place and see strange faces, report to the authorities. When you see something, you say something. It’s only when you report that we can act swiftly. What we are doing right now is to dominate the waterways. Largely, security is everybody’s business. It’s our responsibility as citizens to speak out,” he said.
Tawasimi also disclosed that human rights desks have been established in the state, allowing Akwa Ibom residents to register complaints about human rights infringements. He noted that he had cautioned officers and men against human rights violations upon assuming duty.
“We have a human rights desk to address any issue of violation. When I took over, I went around virtually all the cantonments in the state to educate our men on how to relate with the people and avoid human rights violations. Nobody should be afraid to approach us and make their complaint. We don’t shy away from disciplining our officers and men who contravene rules and regulations,” he added.
On illegal oil bunkering, the commander said the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, had directed the army across the country to ensure that oil production activities are not disrupted by criminals. He noted that Akwa Ibom contributes about 1.2 million barrels per day (bpd) to Nigeria’s oil output, and the brigade is addressing kidnapping and communal clashes, particularly in border areas, to help achieve the national target of 2 million bpd.
The commander stated that the army has been proactive in taking the fight to the creeks to forestall illegal bunkering activities, emphasizing the goal of stopping criminals from sabotaging the economy.
“If you look at bunkering activities, it’s virtually nil because most of the oil facility infrastructures are on the sea,” he said.
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