Dare Babalola
In a heartwarming Christmas gesture, the Joint Task Force (JTF) of the Niger Delta, Operation Delta Safe (OPDS), brought joy to inmates at the Okaka Correctional Centre in Yenagoa, spreading festive cheer with a generous distribution of food and essentials.
The donated items included rice, noodles, cooking oil, toiletries, and other goodies, all generously handed out on Saturday to spread some festive love.
The items were donated also in commemoration of the 2025 end-of-year activities for personnel of the JTF OPDS .
In the Saturday gesture, JTF OPDS commander Rear Adm. Olugbenga Oladipo handed over the donations to the correctional centre, emphasising that the gifts were specifically meant for the inmates.
He assured that the JTF will continue to support in their own capacity, to ensure that inmates are living a better life and to give them a sense of belonging.
Oladipo who was represented by the Maritime Component Commander of JTF, Commodore B.O Onalo, said that even though the inmates were confined, they are not written off from society.
He said that there was still life after serving their sentences, and added: “Our own belief is that one day they will finish serving their terms and they will come out and join us,”
Reacting to the gesture, the Deputy Controller of Corrections, Okaka Centre, Ogundare Rasheed, commended the JTF Commander, for the kind gesture towards the inmates.
According to him, “This is not the first time, I assumed here a year ago and this is the third of its kind that they come here to present items, for the inmates under the Correctional Center,” he said.
In a related development, the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen. Olufemi Oluyede, treated troops of the JTF serving the Liquified Petroleum Gas (LPG) facility at Kwale, to a Christmas luncheon at the facility.
The CDS applauded the resilience and dedication of the troops deployed to protect oil installations in the Niger Delta region.
The CDS who was represented by the JTF Commander, said that the luncheon was aimed at recognising the dedication and sacrifices of the troops, in safeguarding lives and maintaining peace, particularly during the festive season.
He also reaffirmed the military’s commitment to improving the living and working conditions of personnel and their families.
