Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, has announced that the Nigerian Army’s Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Iluke-Bunu will be completed within three weeks, as part of his administration’s push to curb criminal activities in the area.
The governor made the announcement on Thursday in a message read at the commissioning of the Bunu Divisional Police Station in Iluke-Bunu, Kabba/Bunu Local Government Area.
He said the completion of the base forms part of his administration’s commitment to flushing out hoodlums from Bunu land and restoring lasting security to the district.
Represented at the event by the State Security Adviser, Commander Jerry Omodara (rtd), Governor Ododo announced the donation of four motorcycles to officers of the newly commissioned division to boost community policing efforts.
The governor noted that the combined efforts of his administration and security agencies had already yielded positive results, with normalcy gradually returning to communities that were previously terrorised by bandits. He stressed that these gains must be sustained, expressing confidence that the police and army personnel to be deployed to the district have the capacity to maintain peace and stability going forward.
Ododo commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for security improvements recorded nationwide, noting that the President’s directive on police recruitment had led to the opening of more police posts and divisions across the country. He also praised the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, for reforms he said are helping the country win the war against insecurity.
The governor appealed to the sons and daughters of Bunu to support security agencies with timely and credible information to help eliminate criminal elements in the area. He added that the newly deployed Forest Guards would further strengthen the ongoing fight against insecurity in Bunu land, and urged residents to extend their cooperation to them.
Governor Ododo also paid tribute to security expert Prof. Etanibi Alemika, describing him as a hero of the district for his genuine commitment to the development of Bunu land.
