The Centre for Social Justice, Equity and Transparency has urged the federal government to honour leader of the Joint Task Force in the Niger Delta codenamed Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.-Gen. Alani Okunlola, with a national award.
Its executive director, Sunday Attah, in a statement at the weekend, lauded Okunlola’s efforts in the arrest of mastermind of the recent Bayelsa pipeline bombing, Prince Alvin Cockman, within a short period of time.
Attah said the promptness of the arrest has sent out a clear message to would- be saboteurs of national infrastructure that the era of such lawlessness was over.
The group said: “We strongly urge the federal government to give a national honour to Maj. Gen. Alani Okunlola and others who took part in the operation since their prompt intervention has served as deterrence to anyone planning to destabilise the country under any guise.
“What the Task Force has amply demonstrated is that it is capable of securing our oil -based revenue.
“This level of discipline being by the Commanding Officer, Maj.- Gen. Alani Okunlola and his men is laudable and should be emulated by other security agencies in the country.
“These roles so far show that the military is a dependable ally in a democratic set up and should be accorded due respect.”