August 05, (THEWILL) – A social activist, Christopher Awhawha, says the call to disband the Delta State-owned security outfit “Operation Delta Hawk” was not in the best interest of the state.
Awhawha, in a statement on Monday, in Warri, Delta State, said, “My attention was drawn to a publication by a certain group known as Initiative For Social Rights Concerns and Advancement (ISRCA), calling for the disbanding of the Delta State-owned security outfit, Operation Delta Hawk.
“I consider the suggestion made by the group to disband Operation Delta Hawk as misleading and mischievous. The group attributed its demand to disband Operation Delta Hawk due to the prevailing insecurity in the state.”
“Let me remind the group that nobody has called for the disbanding of the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force, and NSCDC despite the consistent oil theft in the Niger Delta, banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, killings, and lingering disputes between farmers and herdsmen in the North and other parts of the country.
“The above-mentioned security forces or agencies are doing their best to manage or curtail crime-related activities. That there are still security challenges does not mean the relevant agencies are not doing their job as expected.
“Therefore, the Hon. David Towne-led Operation Delta Hawk is performing very well and acting in line with the mandate for which the security outfit was established in 2020 by former Governor Ifeanyi A. Okowa. May I remind the group that Operation Delta Hawk is not working alone but collaborating and working effectively and efficiently with the Police, Army, and other security agencies to maintain law and order in the state?
“Let me also educate the group to know that the Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force, and NSCDC can only manage crime or disputes but cannot prevent crime. Operation Delta Hawk will continue to manage or curtail criminal-related activities in the state, but it cannot prevent them from happening; this is a fact.
“Delta State Government established Operation Delta Hawk to complement and support the efforts of Federal Government-controlled Police and security agencies in providing security and safety to citizens. The citizens, in this case, the people of Delta State, have to play their respective civil roles by providing useful information on suspected criminal activities to Operation Delta Hawk and security agencies for prompt actions or responses.
“The group should be reminded that operatives of Operation Delta Hawk and other security agencies would not be everywhere at the same time. Therefore, residents, particularly in rural areas and communities, must collaborate with security agencies in fighting crimes and making the state and society safe for all.”
He noted that Hon. David Towne, being the DG of Operation Delta Hawk, is putting his best effort into coordinating and ensuring the security outfit operates within its mandate.
“To the best of my knowledge, Operation Delta Hawk has not failed and it can only prevent crimes because people conceive in their minds to commit crimes, and the minds of humans are beyond the control of another man and Operation Delta Hawk.
“Operation Delta Hawk is not a spirit that can look into or see the minds of persons who may have chosen to commit crimes and constitute a nuisance in society. Therefore, I conclude that Operation Delta Hawk has not failed in any way to warrant its disbanding. We can only encourage the security outfit to do more in curtailing the escalation or deterioration of crimes in the state.
“The group’s suggestion to Governor Sherrif Oborevwori to ‘disband’ Operation Delta Hawk should be disregarded because it is not in the best interest of the state. The Chairpersons of Local Government Councils also have major roles to play. They should work closely with communities in their respective Local Government Areas.”
He suggested that the Local Government Councils should collaborate with Operation Delta Hawk to set up measures to handle farmers-herders’ clashes.
Awhawha further passed a vote of confidence on Hon. David Towne for doing a great job while urging him to sustain the same.
Amos Okioma is a Correspondent at THEWILL
