By Stephen Adeleye.
The Nigeria’s Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt. -Gen. Taoreed Lagbaja, has inuagurated a 94-bed military Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi.
The military FOB was built and donated by the All Progressive Congress (APC) Lawmaker, representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Stephen Karimi, to combat kidnapping, banditry and other insecurity in his constituency.
Gen. Lagbaja, while inaugurating the FOB on Saturday in Egbe , commended Karimi for the gesture, saying the project would have direct bearing on everyone in the state.
The COAS, who was represented by the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. -Gen. Obinna Onubogu, stressed that the FOB was a testament to the vision, dedication and collaborative efforts exhibited by the Kogi west senator.
“Senator Karimi has proven to be a man who is focused on ensuring security, and progress for his community.
“Let me express my heartfelt appreciation to you for your tenacity and commitment in spearheading the construction and completion of this strategic facility.
“As chief of Army staff, I make bold to say that through this kind of partnership and shared vision, Nigeria Army is reassured that members of the Civil populace appreciate our efforts in curbing insecurity across the Nation.
“I’m confident that this facility will no doubt enhance military operations and overall security operations in Egbe and along the border between Kwara and Kogi State,” Lagbaja said.
The COAS, therefore assured the entire people of Kogi that the facility would be used for the purpose for which it was constructed.
Army Boss expressed his gratitude to Gov. Ahmed Ododo for supporting the project alongside the support his administration was giving to the Nigerian Army
The COAS, however appealed to the governnor to see how the landscaping of the facility could be improved to reduce erosion effect within its premises.
He urged the officers and men of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army to commit themselves to the call to duty, honour and sacrifice.
In his remarks, Gov. Ahmed Ododo, who was represented by the State Security Adviser, Cdre Jerry Omodara (rtd), reaffirmed that his administration would continue to make security of lives and properties it top priority.
The governor commended Karimi for the initiative, describing the Senator as a pride of the state worthy of emulation.
Earlier, Karimi said the project was not a government funded project but was personally funded by him to enhance the security of lives and property of Kogi communities as well as the bordering States of Ekiti, Kwara and Osun.
“It is my personal initiative and fully funded by me personally and my family for the good of our people and neighbouring communities,” Karimi sais
Karimi, who is the Chairman Committee on Senate Services, described the security of lives and properties of the citizens as enshrined in the Constitution as the basic responsibility of any government.
He, however noted that the security of lives and property could better be achieved with the collective collaboration of the citizens.
Karimi said the security of lives and properties in the country had been a challenge for over a decade, stressing that It was not directly the fault of the present administration of President Bola Tinubu.
He decried that Egbe in Kogi west due to the existence of heavy forest bounding Kwara and Kogi had been an habitation for criminal activities for years.
“People will be kidnapped in parts of Kogi, Okene, Kabba, Ekiti, Osun and Kwara States and they will be taken to the forest around here where ransoms are paid before their release.
“In fact one of the prominent sons of this Local Government, Hon. Solomon Adedayo, was killed few metres away from where we are standing.
“A former serving Local Government Chairman was kidnapped and released after ransom was paid. So it has been a problem all over this place.
“Having noticed all of this, it occurred to me that we have to join hands with government in reinforcing the security in this area; though the army has a platoon of about 20 men here.
“We decided to provide a base for the Military here so that it can help to reinforce security in the neighbouring community bordering Kogi, Kwara, Ekiti and Osun States.
“With the Base, working with the Government, we will have an improved security of lives and properties,” Karimi said.
Karimi also promised to support the local Vigilantes from the area to work hand-in-hand with the Military in easing their job with required information to enable them fight against insecurity headlong.
According to him, the newly donated FOB, has 94 bed fitted with three bedroom apartment, commandant office, CCTV, Gun trucks amongst others.
The Obaro of Kabba and Chairman Okun Traditional Council, HRM Oba Solomon Owoniyi, urged the Federal Government to fix the Kabba – Ilorin road, adding that it would serve as a panacea to curbing crime and criminality in the area.
Aso speaking,cthe Lawmaker representing Yagba Federal Constituency, Elder Leke Abejide, assured his massive support for the FoB,
Abejide lamented the rate at which the insecurity such as kidnapping had ravaged the area and hindered the people from going to farm which is their only source of livelihoods.
The highlights of the occasion was the inauguration of the facility by the by the GOC 2 Division, Maj. Gen. Obinna Onubogu, who representated the COAS, followed by the donation of two operational vehicles to the FOB to aid their operations.
It would be recalled that Sen. Karimi, had also recently disbursed N100 million to 50 women cooperative societies, as well as launched a N100 million bursary award for 1,0000 students from Kogi West in tertiary institutions across the country.
