By Amos Odhe
A social activist, Christopher Awhawha, says the call to disband 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 disbanding of Delta State owned security outfit, ‘Operation Delta Hawk.'”
He said, “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 was due to the prevailing insecurity in state.
“Let me remind the group that nobody has called for the disbanding of Nigeria Police Force, Army, Navy, Air Force and NSDSC despite the consistent oil theft in Niger Delta, banditry, kidnappings, terrorism, killings and lingering disputes between farmers and herdsmen in the North and parts of the country,” he said.
“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”
Awhawha noted that, “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 NSDSC can only manage crime or disputes, but cannot prevent crime. The ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ will continue to manage or curtail criminal related activities in the state, but it cannot prevent same from happening, this is the fact.
“Delta State Government established ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ to compliment 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, they have to play their respective civil role by providing useful information on suspected criminal activities to ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ and security agencies for prompt actions or response.
“The group should be reminded that operatives of ‘Operation Delta Hawk’ and that of security agencies would not be everywhere at the same, therefore, the residents, particularly in rural areas and communities must collaborate with security agencies in fighting crimes and making the State and society safe for all.”
Awhawha further noted that Hon. David Towne, the DG of Operation Delta Hawk, is putting in his best in coordinating and making sure 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 mind to commit crimes and the mind 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 mind of persons who may have chosen to commit crimes and constitute nuisance in the society. Therefore, I will conclude that Operation Delta Hawk has not failed in anyway 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” the ‘Operation Delta Hawk,’ that suggestion should be disregarded because it is not for the best interest of the state. The chairmen of local government councils also have major roles to play. They should work closely with communities in their respective local government areas,” he said.
He suggested that the local councils should collaborate with Operation Delta Hawk to set up measure to handle the farmers-herders clashes.
Awhawha further passed a vote of confidence on Hon. David Towne for doing a great job, while urging him to sustain same.
