Diri Seeks Review of Bayelsa’s Military Command Alignment, Pledges Support for Security Agencies

Bayelsa State Governor, Senator Douye Diri, has reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting the Nigerian Army and other security agencies, while urging military authorities to reconsider the state’s alignment with the Army’s 6 Division to improve operational coordination.

Diri made the appeal on Monday, October 12, during a meeting with senior military officers at Government House in Yenagoa, following their postings to the state.

The governor said Bayelsa’s proximity to Port Harcourt made it more practical for the state to remain under the Army’s 6 Division, headquartered in Rivers State, rather than the 83 Division, headquartered in Benin City, Edo State, which now covers Bayelsa and Delta states.

He commended the military and other security agencies for their collaboration with his administration, attributing the relative peace and stability in the state to their joint efforts.

The meeting was attended by the General Officer Commanding, Nigerian Army 6 Division, Major General Everest Okoro; Flag Officer Commanding, Central Naval Command, Rear Admiral Suleiman Ibrahim; Commander of the Joint Task Force, Operation Delta Safe, Rear Admiral Olugbenga Oladipo; and Air Officer Commanding, Mobility Command of the Nigerian Air Force, Air Vice Marshal Michael Onyebashi.

Diri welcomed plans to establish additional Army formations in Oporoma, Ekeremor and Nembe, alongside an artillery regiment and a Forward Operating Base in Sampou. He said the proposed facilities would strengthen security coverage across Bayelsa’s three senatorial districts.

The governor also directed the state Ministry of Lands and Survey to provide land in Brass for a naval jetty to accommodate five warships and improve the protection of offshore oil and gas assets. He similarly ordered the allocation of land at Elebele for a proposed Nigerian Navy Referral Hospital.

According to Diri, a stronger naval presence in Brass would enhance maritime security in Bayelsa and protect national economic interests, given the state’s strategic role in the oil and gas industry.

He described Bayelsa as one of Nigeria’s safest states and credited the Nigerian Navy with helping to curb sea piracy. He also praised Operation Delta Safe for contributing to improved security and increased oil production in the Niger Delta.

Diri said the Joint Task Force had played a stabilising role in the region, where insecurity had previously threatened oil production. He urged security agencies to sustain their cooperation with the state government and local communities.

In his remarks, Major General Okoro thanked the governor for supporting the Army, particularly the 16 Brigade, and said cooperation among security agencies, government officials and host communities had contributed to operational successes. He pledged to sustain the partnership to protect critical national assets.

Rear Admiral Ibrahim disclosed that 11 warships were under his command but were currently stationed in Delta and Rivers states because Bayelsa lacked a suitable port to accommodate them. The proposed naval jetty in Brass is expected to address that limitation.

Meanwhile, Rear Admiral Oladipo said improved security had helped increase oil production in the Niger Delta. He stated that Nigeria had exceeded its OPEC production quota for the first time in more than five years and projected that national output could surpass three million barrels per day by 2027.

Oladipo also disclosed that the task force’s mediation centre resolved more than 300 cases in the preceding month. He encouraged oil companies and host communities to settle disputes peacefully rather than resort to actions that could disrupt production.

Air Vice Marshal Onyebashi, in turn, presented requests relating to operational vehicles and the furnishing of Nigerian Air Force primary schools. Diri promised to consider the requests with a view to addressing them.

The governor’s meeting with the military leadership highlights Bayelsa’s continuing efforts to strengthen security coordination, protect oil and gas infrastructure and improve the operational capacity of security agencies across the state.