Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army in protecting oil and gas facilities and other critical national assets across the state.
Fubara gave the assurance on Friday, October 9, 2026, when he received Brigadier General Ismaila Sule, the newly appointed Commander of the 6 Division Garrison and Sector 3 of the Joint Task Force, South-South, Operation Delta Safe, at Government House in Port Harcourt.
The governor congratulated Sule on his posting to Rivers State and described the relationship between the state government and the Nigerian Army as longstanding and mutually beneficial. He said cooperation between the government and security agencies remained important to maintaining stability and supporting economic development.
Fubara stressed that providing support to security agencies was a responsibility of government rather than an extraordinary gesture, given the importance of protecting critical infrastructure to the state's economy and the wider national interest.
He also welcomed the establishment of a new military formation in Ahoada, describing the development as a strategic step that could help address security challenges and tensions in the area. The governor expressed appreciation to President Bola Tinubu and the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, for the decision.
The governor assured the military commander that his administration would continue to provide the necessary cooperation for security operations. However, he emphasised that the government would not ask the military to act outside its professional and statutory responsibilities or oppress any citizen.
According to Fubara, his administration's priority remained peace, progress and development across Rivers State. He also pledged to sustain and improve the support already being provided to military personnel responsible for protecting oil pipelines and other critical national infrastructure.
In his remarks, Sule thanked the governor for the state's continued support for the Nigerian Army. He said he had been briefed by his predecessors about the cooperation the military had received from the state government and conveyed the appreciation of the military high command.
The commander explained that his visit was intended to formally introduce himself to the governor and outline his plans for his assignment in Rivers State. He also disclosed plans to visit the state's 23 local government areas and nearby military formations as part of his familiarisation activities.
Sule said the expansion of the Nigerian Army, following a directive by President Tinubu to increase the number of divisions from eight to twelve, would benefit Rivers State through the establishment of a new brigade in Ahoada and its affiliated battalions.
The planned formation is expected to strengthen the military's presence in the area and support efforts to address security challenges. Its effectiveness, however, will depend on operational implementation and sustained cooperation among security agencies, government authorities and local communities.
The renewed commitment comes amid continuing concerns over the protection of oil and gas infrastructure in the Niger Delta, where pipeline vandalism, illegal oil-related activities and other security threats can affect public safety and economic activity.
The development places renewed emphasis on cooperation between the Rivers State Government and the Nigerian Army, particularly in safeguarding critical national assets while ensuring that security operations remain within the law.
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