As the Executive Governor of Rivers State, Sir Siminalayi Fubara marks 100 days in office, the Deputy National Commander (Operation and Rescue), of Man O’ War Nigeria, Rev. Amb. Kriss Natty Rissi has urged the state government to harness the capabilities of Man O’ War effectively.
The organization, with its dedicated volunteers and training programs, said it had the capacity to play a pivotal role in complementing the activities of existing security agencies to combat the insurgence of crime in some parts of the state.
Rissi, while speaking during the official Commissioning of the Odani Link Road, Elelenwo in Obio/Akpor Local Government Area on Monday, emphasized the importance of synergy among security agencies and volunteer organizations like Man O’ War.
“With the alarming insurgence of crime in some parts of the state, it is imperative that we work together to protect our communities. Man O’War has a long-standing tradition of service and discipline, and we are ready to complement the efforts of the security agencies to make our state safer,” he said, while appealing to Governor Fubara to approach security pragmatically, adding that the resurgence of cultism and violent crimes in the state should be tackled with utmost seriousness.
“It is worrisome to me that Man O’ War, a paramilitary that is very active in Rivers State is not utilized to tackle security menace despite the paramilitary gallant records”
He recalled that the recent raid in a female hostel in the Rivers State University, should not have been if Man O’ War is utilized by the authority of the school, adding that the Vice Chancellors of the various universities across the country would testify of the track records of Man O War towards combating cultism in higher institutions in Nigeria.
“Man O’ War is a community base paramilitary outfit many states governments in the country are utilizing through its collaboration with the Police Force to tackle crime except in Rivers State”
The Deputy National Commander who is also touted as ‘Honourable Speaker of the less privileged’, further called on the state government to explore ways to provide necessary resources and support to Man O’War, enabling them to expand their operations and contribute more effectively to the state’s security apparatus.
While commending Governor Fubara for starting on a sound note, particularly in consolidating on the policies of his predecessor, Chief Barr. Nyesom Wike, Rissi also praised the Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. O. K. Chinda for attracting meaningful projects to Obio Akpor Federal Constituency.
Rissi also said that Man O’ War Nigeria is formidable because of its Citizen and Leadership Training Center (C <C), a parastatals under the Federal Ministry of Youths and Sports established basically for the training and molding of Nigerian citizens to become responsible, pointing out that the training Man O’ War undergoes in the C& LTC Center is the reason the paramilitary is disciplined, formidable and tactical.
“The police and other security agencies in Nigeria are readily available when the crime have already been committed but Man O’ War sensitizes and train the citizens to reshape their character and are familiar with the terrain and the locals because it’s a community base paramilitary”.
