- Delta govt urges riverside communities not to panic
Omon-Julius Onabu in Asaba
The Nigerian Army has informed the Delta State Government of its intention to carry out a two-week military training exercise in the creeks of the state.
In a statement by the Delta State Commissioner for Information, Mr. Patrick Ukah, the exercise, which is amphibious in nature, would involve heavy presence of military personnel and movement of equipment in the creeks.
“The public, especially people living in communities in the creeks, are advised not to panic over the presence of military personnel in their communities,” the statement said.
Although, the date of the commencement and other details of the military exercise were not disclosed, the statement also expressed the “determination of the state government to partner security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property in the state.”
“The military exercise is not targeted towards any persons or group of persons or communities, but to provide the Nigerian army the opportunity to train its personnel and improve its security operations in the riverine areas and make the environment safe for all,” the statement further noted.
The state governor, Ifeanyi Okowa, recently sued for prompt information from military authorities on their operations and special exercises in the communities in order to allay fears or suspicion about such exercises.
