The Nigerian Army will sustain its collaborative partnership with the Department of State Services (DSS) in its efforts at tackling security challenges in the Niger Delta region, the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 6 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Jamal Abdussalam has said.

Maj. Gen. Abdussalam said this on Friday, September 13, 2024, when the newly posted State Director of Security (SDS), Rivers State Command of the DSS, Benedict Akinkumi paid him a courtesy call at the 6 Division Headquarters in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

While thanking the SDS for the visit, the GOC stressed the need for information sharing among security agencies in the Niger Delta region, pointing out that this would assist in effectively addressing the complexities in the operating environment.

A statement by the Acting Deputy Director, 6 Division Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Colonel Danjuma Danjuma on Friday, September 13, 2024 disclosed that the GOC further stated that the 6 Division NA had been collaborating with other security agencies in this regard, resulting in the conduct of several successful operations.

Major General Abdussalam maintained that the Division had scaled up the fight against illegal oil bunkering, crude oil theft, and other sundry crimes.

These, he averred, have exerted so much pressure on the criminals, who are resorting to other forms of criminalities to raise funds. Crimes such as sea piracy and kidnapping have been identified, and flashpoints have been clearly delineated, as appropriate responses would be brought to bear on those areas, he assured.

He also assured the SDS and other security agencies that the Division under his watch would continue to do whatever it takes to keep the region safe and secure, adding that the Division would not fold its arm and allow criminality to thrive.

He expressed optimism that the new SDS, giving his pedigree in previous appointments held, would bring his experience on board.

Earlier, the SDS, Akinkumi said he was at the Division to seek guidance and collaboration, as he hits the ground running in Rivers State.

He further pointed out that the DSS can not do it alone, given the complex nature of the operating environment, hence the need for a functional collaboration among security agencies.

Mr Akinkumi stated that such collaborative efforts would go a long way in making the DSS operate successfully in the state.

He added, while in Bayelsa State, that he had a good working relationship with other security agencies, most especially the NA. This, he said, enabled him to operate seamlessly.

He used the medium to call for support, reassuring that flashpoints of criminal activities have been identified and efforts would be streamlined to handle the situation accordingly.