Ogun State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun on Wednesday tasked the Nigerian security forces on the protection of the deserted oil-rich Tongeji Island in the Ipokia Local Government Area of the state.

He gave the charge while receiving the newly redeployed General Officer Commanding (GOC), 81 Division, Nigerian Army Major Gen. Tamunomeibi Dibi in his office.

The Governor expressed concern over the lack of government presence in the oil-rich region, noting that it made the area vulnerable to militancy and likely displacement of Nigerian residents by desperate insurgents.

“If we, as a nation, allow our oil-regions to be taken over by intruders, we may be seen to be nonchalant about proper management and utilisation of the commonwealth of the nation and this is not good for our posterity as a government”, he stated.

Amosun noted that though the Army should be defending the nation as a whole from external aggression, the overwhelming security threats to lives and property necessitated their involvement in civil unrest.

While welcoming the GOC to the State, the Governor commended the efforts and synergy among all the security agencies in arresting the emergence of any security challenge in the state, noting that the Army had been very professional and diligent in their duties since the launch of OP MESA, a security outfit comprising soldiers in the state.

On his part, Dibi commended the Governor for his giant strides, particularly in the area of security, pledging the unalloyed support of the division to the state.

“Since I reported here, I have gotten good reports of your giant strides, especially in the area of security and I’m aware of the tremendous support you have given the military in the state. I wish to assure you of our unalloyed support, cooperation and our loyalty is total.”

He appealed to the Governor to continue to support the Force in its operations to perform better and further ensure tranquility in the state.