Fighting Security Challenges With Tactical Intelligence: The Case of Major General Okoi Ubi Obono (Retd), SSA, Cross River State
Major General OU Obono (Retd) took charge as State Security Adviser (SSA) to His Excellency, Senator Prince Bassey Otu at a time when crime rates, kidnapping, arms proliferation, and communal clashes underscored the criminal enterprises built by kidnappers and other social vices that held the State to ransom. As a retired Military General with expert professional training at different operational and strategic levels needed in governance where he could bring his experiences to benefit the state, he knew that to get to the root of our security challenges, he must follow the primary trail linked to these crimes against the state. This approach isn’t surprising from a game-changer who knows his onions.
Obono has made remarkable progress in restoring order and security in the State as he came prepared. In considering his appointment, the Governor carefully emphasised the need for a knowledgeable, innovative, and experienced individual who understands the complexities of our security challenges. This is because the State Security Adviser serves as the chief advisor to the Governor on matters of state security and plays a vital role in managing the security apparatus of the State.
Given the current security situation in Nigeria characterized by issues such as banditry, kidnapping, farmer -herdsmen clashes, illegal mining, oil bunkering, and cybersecurity threats, the Governor understood the urgency of appointing a proactive and bold individual capable of a radical change in the security architecture of the State.
The need for a tried and tested hand with a broad based security status immediately came to bear since there was no time for theoreticians and office workers. It therefore became urgent and critical for General Obono to be appointed to address the multifaceted nature of the security challenges, attention to economic security, including the management of the security architecture and the enabling environment to support policies that can develop the state's economy in line with the Peoples First Mantra of the administration. Consequently, politics was shunned in this vital appointment and a logical conclusion was taken by putting a round peg in a round hole in his choice of Gen OU Obono as SSA.
Beyond being the first Retired Major General to serve as the State Security Adviser since the return to democracy in 1999, Gen Obono's trail of triumphs in tackling security issues in a proactive manner has set him apart. It’s easy to see how his military background has eased him into the Office of the SSA since he took charge.
Upon assumption of office, he knew what accounted for the increasing waves of crime in the State. Knowing very well that the state is one with only two roads- the one that leads up to the Itu Bridge and the one that goes straight to Ugep and to Ikom. From Ugep, the road goes straight to Ikom. At the Mbok junction, the left goes to Abakaliki and the straight one leads to Ogoja and then Gakem, our boundary with Benue State. Then at Ikom, we have the one that leads to the borders, just a few kilometres and the other one leads to the Obudu Ranch, he anchored his security surveillance and intelligence gathering on these flash points to apprehend cultists, kidnappers, criminals, and armed robbers who had hitherto taken over the state.
Since his appointment, the SSA has displayed a high level of tactical intelligence by doing his best to ensure that the lives and property of the citizens are protected. The job has not been a piece of cake taking into consideration the problem of insecurity confronting the country. The office of the State Security adviser is not what you want to carry on your head and go to bed and sleep. You have to be on your toes ensuring that all the security agencies are doing their jobs. Primarily, his duty is to advise the governor on matters of security and ensure that the different security formations are working together harmoniously. One thing that can spell doom for the security of the state is the lack of unity among the different security agencies. And I want to say that the security agencies have been on the same page with General Obono as SSA.
Under Obono, the high rate of crime and arms proliferation in the state through the 33 illegal routes which became a veritable source of arms into the state has been curtailed to the bearest minimum. The different colorations of young men who became radicalised and militarised taking different forms of criminals to kidnappers which changed social habits negatively and psychologically to mention a few have been reduced drastically. The SSA has equally disabused the choice/option of the use of weapons by youths to secure a means of livelihood as it used to be.
While he’s not a man given to blowing his own trumpet, even though he operates in an environment where many mistake media activities for effectiveness, Obono acknowledges that law enforcement agencies cannot hope to receive much credit for the criminality they quietly foil. Knowing that his role as SSA is a demanding job that requires dexterity, hard work, and intelligence gathering across security and political structures, since his historic appointment by Gov Bassey Otu, he has demonstrated a vast understanding of what is expected and has lived up to the onerous responsibilities of one of the most critical public sector assignments in the State.
As State Security Adviser, he has been crucial to the success of the security policy of the Governor Otu administration so far. This is because he is one that would not play politics to the detriment of the State interest. And also one that didn't assume office and expected to be briefed on a situation before deploying his team. That would be a wrong move as the urgency does not permit such. Rather he has deployed proactive and tactical intelligence gathering to arrest criminals and criminalties in the State.
A thoroughly breed professional without any political baggage in the security sector, Obono has amassed a wealth of experience; both field and administrative, and with the capacity to call a spade a spade. So far he has been responsible for advising the Governor on all matters relating to the security of the State and its citizens. He has also coordinated the activities of the various security agencies and appointees under his supervision. Some of these includes AIG John Bassey Abang (Rtd), SSA Central, Comptroller Joe Ochelebe (Rtd), SSA North, Commander Odiong Patrick (Rtd), SSA South, Henshaw Ekeng Ekeng, Special Adviser Forensic Intelligence, Ibu Augustine Wonor, Special Adviser Surveillance and Operation, SPL Agbor Ubi (RTD) Special Assistant Intelligence Analysis etc etc.
Looking at the security challenges bedevilling the State and the current state of peace, and tranquility, the SSA has live up to the responsibilities of his office with his tact team.
Under his watch the efforts to strengthen and intensify safety and security for lives and property in Cross River State is receiving a great boost as Cross Riverians heaved a sign of great relief on the emergence of yet another security technocrat.
The SSA has clearly revealed that the days of free for all violent crimes in the state are over as he is not ready to go to bed except all citizens and residents of the state have their confidences restored to the state security agencies. This is because it has been an open reality that the state has had great security challenges which birthed an era that kidnapping became a common decimal amongst hoodlums who found a new treasure in ransom taking through blackmailing victims' friends, families, and employers with threats of executions.
Obono is aware of the responsibilities of government as a social contract that deals essentially with the provision of social goods and the protection of lives and properties of the citizens. These primary responsibilities are not optional to any political office holder.With this trend of alertness and swift response mechanism by Gen Obono, Cross River State has returned to that nation's paradise where trade and investment through tourism flourished greatly, security of Life and property and guaranteed and everyone can sleep with both eyes closed.
Ogar Solomon Ogar, FSLC,
Media Scientist @ Solomon Island
June 24, 2025.
