By Isaiah Eka
The Akwa Ibom Government has warned criminals to steer clear of the state, as the security agencies were fully prepared to ensure peaceful yuletide celebrations.
The state Commissioner for Internal Security and Waterways, Gen. Koko Essien (rtd), said this in his remarks at the closing ceremony of the Akwa Ibom Security Agencies Small Arms Competition held at the Wellington Bassey Barracks, Ibagwa in Abak on Thursday.
Essien, who was the guest of honour at the event said that security agencies’ small arms competition was to ensure the officers and men were well equipped to withstand any infraction by criminals.
He urged criminals to sheath their swords and follow the part of peace, stressing that the security agencies were prepared for them.
“When you have men in the field and you don’t take them into this proficiency test from time to time, they tend to lose that capacity.
“So, from time to time we like to bring them out to the shooting range, take them to the proficiency test.
“You see what we have done from the firing to the cleaning of the weapons, to the stripping and assembling of the weapons. They have to maintain their proficiency in that.
“We are entering the yuletide season, this is the time criminals like to bring their fangs. We are using this exercise to send a direct message to them. We are fully prepared,” Essien said.
The commissioner warned social media users in the state to be mindful of information posted, as anyone that posts false information in the social media to cause panic would be dealt with accordingly.
He said that government had put in place adequate measures to ensure the safety of lives and property during the festive period
In his remarks, Brig.-Gen. Nnabueze Okoloagu, Commander 2 Brigade Nigerian Army/Sector 4 Joint Taskforce South South said the competition was to expand bonding within the various security agencies.
Okoloagu said the exercise was organised to ensure synergy and cooperation within the security agencies, especially the Army, the Navy, DSS and the Police.
“The exercise also expands the bonding within the various security agencies in the state to understand our capabilities and competencies,” he said.
He commended the officers for the keenly contested exercise, as it was a worthwhile experience.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Headquarters 2 Brigade Nigerian Army, won the overall prize with 376 points, the DSS, took second with 267 points, and the NNS Jubilee was third with 255 points. NAN
