Herders/farmers clashes, kidnapping, major security challenges in Delta, Okowa tells Buratai

Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State Monday told visiting Chief of Army Staff, Lt. Gen. T. Y. Buratai that Herders and farmers clashes, coupled with incessant kidnapping were major security challenges the state is grappling with.
Governor Okowa therefore charged the Nigerian Army and other security agencies in the state to come up with effective security tactics to arrest the worsening development, which he described as “sad incidences”.
Speaking at the commissioning of the Nigerian Army 63 Brigade Headquarters in Asaba Monday, Okowa urged  the  Nigeria Army and sister security agencies to intensify efforts at tackling the security challenges.
While commending the Nigerian army for their synergy with other security agencies in tackling security challenges in the state, the governor note that the establishment of the 63 Brigade will help to engender peace in the state.
The spacious complex spanning over an hectare of land with several buildings; now adapted as adminstrative offices and other utilities; directly opposite the Government House, was donated to the Brigade by the Delta State Government.
“As a state we take security matters very seriously even as we meet twice a month. Your officers have cooperated with other sister security agencies and that has helped us in achieving the peace we enjoy in the state.
“Delta is peaceful today, though we have had few incidences that make us sad but with all hands on deck we will surmount all the security challenges. We will continue to support the army and other security agencies in the state as much as our finances can carry.
“We still have security challenges such as farmers-herders clashes and kidnapping which obviously was going down but we still have a lot of work to do even though we are already working hard and we do hope that the cooperation we have in the past will continue”, the governor said.
Meanwhile, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt Gen. Tukur Buratai has disclosed that the establishment of 63 Brigade of the Nigerian Army in Asaba, Delta State capital, is strategic and informed by the role the state plays in the socio- economy of the country.
 Buratai said the establishment of the Brigade amongst other things will deepened civil-military relationship in the state, while restateing the commitment of the military to flush out criminal elements in the Niger Delta region.
“Let me express my profound appreciation to the Governor of Delta, Senator Dr Ifeanyi Okowa for the donation of this headquarters. The establishment of this headquarters is the first critical step in the full operationalisaion of the Brigade.
“I am aware of the critical support of the government and people of Delta to the success of this Brigade and such support had engendered good civil-military relations in the state.
“Your donation and funding of this headquarters has shown that there is good understanding of the role of security to the development of any state,” he said
General Officer commanding, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Felix Abugo and the 63 Brigade Commander, Maj. Gen. I. M. Jallo  thanked Governor Okowa for the support to the Brigade and the Division.