Oku Ibom Ibibio seeks joint action on coastal security

Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin (Dr.) Solomon Etuk, JP, CFR, has urged the Nigerian Army to deepen its collaboration with the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies to curb the nauseating incidents of insecurity within coastal communities and the waterways.

Ntenyin Etuk, the Patriarch of the Ibibios worldwide, made the call during a courtesy visit by the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah at his Palace in Ikot Ukobo, Nsit Ubium Local Government Area on Wednesday, February 26, 2025.

He congratulated Gen. Emekah on his appointment as the GOC, 6 Division, Nigerian Army as well as being shouldered with other responsibilities and expressed confidence that he will surely live up to the expectations of the military high command and the nation as a whole.

The Akwa Ibom supreme monarch noted that traditional rulers as custodians of the culture and traditions of the people, have constantly sacrificed their time and energy to always ensure the prevalence of peace, harmony, unity and tranquillity in the society, stressing that this has created a favourable atmosphere for investment in Akwa Ibom State by people from other parts of the country and the globe generally.

He re-echoed the requests made by some paramount rulers at the courtesy visit for reinforcement of security surveillance both in the coastal villages and waterways of Akwa Ibom State to stem the tide of sea pirates, kidnappers, bandits and all sorts of criminal activities in the areas.

Speaking earlier, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force, South South, Operation DELTA SAFE, Major General Emmanuel Eric Emekah, said he undertook the visit to the states under his command to familiarise himself with the formations and troops under his command and other key stakeholders.

“It is customary and in line with the traditions of the Nigerian Army that whenever there is a change in command, on assumption of duty, the new Commander has to go around his area of responsibility to see his troops. While doing that, it is customary too, to pay homage to traditional fathers and political leaders within such areas. We recognise as a Military that traditional rulers are the key and the best security officers of their areas. That is why I am here,” the GOC added.

Gen. Emekah said his command covers four of the six states in South-South namely; Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River and Rivers States and thanked Oku Ibom Ibibio and President General of Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, His Eminence, Ntenyin Etuk and the paramount rulers for receiving him and members of entourage.

Major General Emekah was accompanied on the courtesy visit by the Commander 2 Brigade, Brigadier General AA Tawasimi; Commander 6 Division, Brigadier General S Ahmed; Commander 56 Brigade, Brigadier General OJ Akande; Commander, 106 Division Equipment Support, Brigadier General EA Nse;
Commander, 6 Military Intelligence Brigade, Col OO Towobola; Commander, 6 Provost Group, Lt Col EE Mbu-Ogar; and Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lt Col DJ Danjuma.

Paramount rulers present at the courtesy visit were HRM Edidem Peter Okon Effiong, Paramount Ruler of Nsit Atai LGA; HRM Akuku (Engr.) Johnson Johnny Obosi IV, Paramount ruler of Oruk Anam LGA; HRM Ogwong Okon Abang, Paramount ruler of Mbo LGA; HRM Edidem Ita Edet Okokon (111), Paramount ruler of Okobo LGA; HRM Edidem Etim Nana Itang, Ikono LGA; HRM, Okuku Okon Udo Ukut, Paramount Ruler of Ikot Ekpene LGA and His Highness, Etebom Ukpong Udoewah, Clan Head of Ubium in Nsit Ubium LGA as well as the secretary to the Akwa Ibom State Supreme Council of Traditional Rulers, Emmanuel Umontuen, PhD.

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