Delta State governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, has raised alarm over the proliferation of small arms in the Niger Delta. He therefore called on the Nigerian Navy to map out strategies to wipe out the illegal small arms in the region.
The governor made the appeal while receiving the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Ganiyu Adekeye, in Warri, Delta State.
Besides, he tasked the Navy to play an active role in the total restoration of peace to the oil-rich Niger Delta region.
“One area in which I have been very worried especially those of us from the Niger Delta is the inflow of small arms which has worsened the situation in the region.
“I want to appeal to you on this issue to map out strategies on how to reduce or totally wipe out the inflow of small arms because some of us believe that some of the small arms came through the waterways,” he said.
The governor said that he believes that the Navy was up to the task, adding that “if the issue is properly handled, it will be one of the key ways to address the problems currently facing the Niger Delta region.”
While commending the Navy for ensuring that there was peaceful resolution of the Warri crisis, Uduagahn pointed out that “there is no doubt that the Navy took active part and played a very prominent role in ensuring that the crisis was properly resolved.”
The state government, he promised, would continue to play a partnership role with the Navy by encouraging them to remain so as to ensure that the region is peaceful.
Besides, he assured that his administration would ensure that Navy logistics headquarters at Oghara is completed soon.