The Kogi state government says the creation of additional Nigerian Army battalions will consolidate the achievements of Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo’s administration.
State Security Adviser Commander Jerry Omodara made the remarks to journalists on the sidelines of the 2026 Ayere Day celebration in Ayere, Ijumu Local Government Area.
Omodara said new battalions in Kabba, Isanlu, Olamaboro, Idah and Okene will add value to the existing ones in Lokoja and Anyigba.
He described security as progressive work that residents must take seriously. He said President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s expansion of Army divisions and formations is already yielding results, particularly in Kogi.
Omodara thanked Tinubu for his vision. He also thanked Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Wahid Shuaibu for bringing the divisions closer to Kogi, with headquarters in neighboring Benue State.
The security adviser said Ododo has aligned with the army chief’s agenda by providing an enabling environment for officers and soldiers across the state’s battalions.
“Our deployment going forward is going to be solid. It is going to seriously improve security in Kogi State,” Omodara said.
He said he had inspected the Kabba battalion and that the governor had directed that whatever is needed to make troops comfortable, in line with Army standards, be provided.
According to Omodara, residents of the Kabba-Bunu/Ijumu Federal Constituency welcome the battalion’s presence and are ready to provide intelligence and support.
“President Tinubu is changing the security trajectory of Nigeria,” he said. “This is good for us, it is good for the system.”
Omodara called on Kogi indigenes, particularly those in communities hosting the new battalions, to support security efforts.
“Apart from the intelligence, we need the support,” he said. “We need people to also reciprocate what the government is doing by ensuring that we provide them with amenities.”
