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PORT HARCOURT – Commandant Reuben Dennis has officially taken over leadership of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Rivers State Command, succeeding Joachin Okafor.
The change of leadership was formalised during a brief handing-over ceremony held at the Command’s headquarters along Olu Obasanjo Road in Port Harcourt on Tuesday, marking the end of Okafor’s tenure as Rivers State Commandant.
A statement issued on Wednesday by the Rivers NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Ihemnacho Umeado, disclosed that the outgoing Commandant symbolically handed over the seal of authority to Dennis, who until his appointment served as the immediate past Second-in-Command (2i/c) of the Rivers State Command and most recently as Head of Operations, Zone 9, Port Harcourt.
Speaking during the ceremony, Okafor expressed gratitude to the Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for the opportunity to serve the Corps and contribute to national security during his tenure.
The outgoing State Commandant also expressed appreciation to the Governor of Rivers State, Siminalayi Fubara, for his support to the Command, particularly the donation of 10 Hilux patrol vehicles, which he said significantly enhanced its operational capacity.
After highlighting key achievements recorded during his tenure, Okafor urged his successor, Dennis, to prioritise the acquisition of a permanent site for the Rivers State Command.
In his acceptance remarks, Dennis pledged to build on the achievements of his predecessor and strengthen existing collaboration with other security agencies operating in the state.
He also promised to work closely with relevant stakeholders to ensure the continued safety and security of Rivers State.
The new Commandant further vowed to intensify efforts to protect critical national assets and infrastructure across the state, warning criminals and economic saboteurs to stay away from Rivers, as the Command would deal decisively with acts of vandalism and other threats to public safety.
Dennis also pledged to prioritise personnel training and retraining, intelligence gathering, and improved welfare for officers and men of the Command.
He warned officers and personnel against acts of indiscipline and misconduct, stressing that his administration would not hesitate to sanction any officer found wanting.
Emphasising that security is a collective responsibility, Dennis called on residents to support efforts aimed at combating insecurity across the state.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu and the NSCDC Commandant-General, Ahmed Abubakar Audi, for entrusting him with the responsibility of leading the Rivers State Command.
