By Augustine Ehikioya
For the sake of peace and harmony, the Oneh-Eh Alesa, the paramount ruler of Eleme, His Royal Highness, Sir (Dr) Emere Emperor Nkpe JD Nkpe II JP has sued for the continuous support and cooperation of the Army in his domain.
He made the call when he led some members of his cabinet on a courtesy visit to the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division of Nigerian Army and Land Component Commander, Joint Task Force (South South) Operation Delta Safe, Major General Jamal Abdussalam in his office on Tuesday 18th July, 2023.
A statement by the Ag Deputy Director, Public Relations, 6 Division Nigerian Army, Lieutenant Colonel, Iweha Ikedichi, and made available to Security Watch Africa (SWA), said “The royal father stated that the visit was expedient following the assumption of Command of the GOC as the 10th General Officer Commanding.
“He recalled the warm relations which members of his community have enjoyed over the years as a result of their close relationship with the Army.
“He recalled the low rate of crime in the community as a result of the soldiers manning strategic national assests including the Eleme Petrochemical Refinery amongst others.
“The community he pledged will continue to go out of its way to make the stay of soldiers comfortable in Eleme community even as he solicited for increased deployment of troops to meet up with the increased infrastructural development ongoing in the community.
“He presented stickers which he produced in support of military operations within his community and outside his community for sensitization of the public.”
In his response, the General Officer Commanding, 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam, the statement said, thanked the royal father for the visit.
“He expressed appreciation for the support of the royal father to military operations describing his gesture of poster and sticker printing as highly commendable.
“He pledged the continuous support of the Division to the community and urged the community not to relent in its support to the Nigerian Armed Forces.
“He appreciated the personal commitment of the efforts of the Oneh-Eh Alesa and pledged to reciprocate the visit to see things for himself.”
Highpoint of the visit, according to the statement, was the presentation of souvenir to the royal father who in turn presented copies of a book, posters/stickers.
