Vice Admiral (rtd) Ibok-Ete Ibas, the Rivers sole administrator, has instructed paramilitary groups to effectively engage in cooperative operations to weaken the state’s criminal elements’ capabilities.

Mr Ibas spoke when he met with the heads of paramilitary organisations in Port Harcourt on Friday and charged them to contribute their quota in combating the activities of criminals.

He advised them to intensify efforts to ensure that criminal elements were not emboldened to cause insecurity in Rivers.

Mr Ibas explained the essence of meeting with critical stakeholders in the fight against crime and criminality and acknowledged their contributions to ensuring peace in the state.

“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 in particular,” he said.

Mr Ibas directed them to increase their patrols and ensure that criminals would not have access to the state resources.

“The responsibility has been given to individuals and organisations; as such, we must all work towards making sure that this state is very, very safe,” Mr Ibas said.

He emphasised the importance of engaging in dialogue to support the efforts of intelligence gathering in addressing issues of kidnapping and communal conflicts.

The administrator frowned at a situation where vehicles had no registered plate numbers or concealed numbers and were allowed to ply the state roads.

He observed that trucks overturned on roads, which could be due to their poor state of condition or sometimes due to the actions and inactions of other road users, causing obstruction.

Mr Ibas stated that such acts were serious traffic offences and must be curbed to minimise the number of casualties and deaths witnessed on the roads.

He urged them to reduce insecurity while collaborating with the military, SSS, and local security agencies in intelligence sharing.

Mr Ibas commended them for their contributions to the development and security of the state over the years and pledged the government’s support to their operations in the effort to achieve maximal success.

He, however, said the state information ministry should coordinate the activity and work together to create awareness at the grassroots on the impact of not having a secure environment.

In his response, Felix Madumere, the controller of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS), Rivers command, thanked the sole administrator for the information he shared with them, which would help their daily operations.

Mr Madumere wished the administrator success in his mandate and assured that they would provide the needed support to ensure that he left an enduring legacy of success in the state.

(NAN)