The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Rivers State Command, now has a new Helmsman, Commandant Reuben Dennis.
This is as his predecessor, Joachin Okafor, bows out in a brief handing and taking over ceremony at the Command’s headquarters along Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday.
A statement issued in Port Harcourt on Wednesday morning by the Rivers NSCDC spokesperson, Ihemnacho Umeado, said the former State Commandant, symbolically transferred the seal of authority to the New State Commandant, Commandant Reuben Lessor Dennis, who until his appointment was the immediate past Rivers State Command’s 2i/c and most recently, the HOD operations, Zone 9, Port Harcourt.
In his farewell speech, the outgoing State Commandant, Joachin Okafor, thanked the Commandant-General, Prof Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for giving him the privilege and opportunity to serve the Corps and nation at large.
The statement partly reads, “The former State Commandant, also thanked the Executive Governor of Rivers State, His Excellency, Sir Siminalaye Fubara, for the enormous support, particularly the donation of 10 Hilux patrol vans, which literally enhanced the operational capabilities of the command.”
After reeling out his achievements, the former Rivers NSCDC boss (Okafor)urged his successor (Dennis) to prioritise acquiring a befitting permanent site for the Command.
The new Rivers NSCDC helmsman, Commandant Dennis promised to sustain the legacies of his predecessor and promised to strengthen the already existing synergy with sister security agencies across the state.
He also pledge to collaborate with all critical stakeholders to ensure that the oil-rich state is safe and secured.
Dennis further pledged to intensify the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, warning criminal elements to steer clear of the state, as the command under his watch, will deal decisively with threats to economic sabotage and vandalism.
He further vowed to prioritise training and retraining of personnel, intelligence gathering as well as improved welfare for officers and men of the command.
The State Commandant also read the riot act to officers and men of the command, warning ‘that indiscipline and misconduct will not be tolerated’, as his administration will not hesitate to initiate disciplinary action against any erring officer.
Dennis emphasised, that security remains a collective responsibility and therefore urged residents to support efforts aimed at tackling insecurity across the state.
The State Commandant thanked President Bola Tinubu and the NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Ahmed Audi for giving him the privilege to serve in his new capacity.
Highlights of the event were the signing of the handover notes, symbolic transfer of authority, as represented by the NSCDC Flag and subsequent photo sessions.