Chief of Army Staff commissions Military Forward Base in Kogi to combat insurgency, banditry

The Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Taoreed Lagbaja, has commissioned a Forward Operating Base (FOB) in Egbe, Yagba East Local Government Area, to combat insecurity and insurgency in Kogi State.

The newly commissioned FOB in Egbe was built and donated by the lawmaker representing Kogi West, Senator Sunday Karimi.

While commissioning the project on Saturday, the Chief of Army Staff noted that the initiative would enhance military operations to overcome the nation’s common enemies in Kogi and neighboring states.

The Chief of Army Staff, represented by the General Officer Commanding 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General O.G. Onubogu, emphasized that the project has a direct impact on the lives of everyone in the state.

“As Chief of Army Staff, I boldly state that through this partnership and shared vision, the Nigerian Army is reassured that the civil populace appreciates our efforts in curbing insecurity across the nation.

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“I am confident that the construction of this FOB is timely and aligns with the operational and logistical challenges we faced during the recent rescue of kidnapped students from the Confluence University of Science and Technology (CUSTECH), who were taken from a forest near Egbe town.

“Drawing from that experience, I am certain this facility will greatly enhance military operations and security along the border between Kwara and Kogi states.”

He continued, “The Nigerian Army remains resolute in tackling the security challenges plaguing our nation and Kogi State. The state is integral to our efforts, as it is the most central state in Nigeria.

“Kogi State, dominated by the most significant river in Nigeria, is surrounded by states from the North Central, South West, South East, and South South regions, namely Niger, Anambra, Nasarawa, Benue, Enugu, Edo, Ondo, Ekiti, and Kwara states.

“This means Kogi State bears the brunt of any insecurity emanating from the River Niger or any of these 10 surrounding states and the Federal Capital Territory. Forward Operating Bases like this are critical because they help us project our operations not only in the host state but also in neighboring states.

“This Forward Operating Base will support our efforts to deter bandits, criminals, gunrunners, and other criminal elements operating around the forests and rivers connecting Kogi and Kwara states.”

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Senator Sunday Karimi affirmed that the project was personally funded to enhance the security of lives and property in the community and surrounding areas, including Ekiti, Kwara, and Osun states.

Senator Karimi described the security of lives and property, as enshrined in the Constitution, as the basic responsibility of any government, adding that it can be better achieved through collective collaboration with citizens.

“In recent years, the security of lives and property in the country has been a challenge. This is not directly the fault of the current administration.

“The issue of insecurity became noticeable during the second term of President Olusegun Obasanjo and has been on the rise since then.

“Under former President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, we hoped for significant improvements, but unfortunately, kidnapping, banditry, cattle rustling, Boko Haram, and other forms of insecurity became rampant across the country.

“Our region was not excluded due to the dense forests bordering Kwara and Kogi, which have become havens for criminal activities.

“People have been kidnapped in parts of Kogi, Okene, Kabba, Ekiti, Osun, and Kwara states and taken to the surrounding forests, where ransoms are paid for their release.

“One of the prominent sons of this local government, Hon. Solomon Adedayo, was killed just a few meters away from where we are standing. A former local government chairman was also kidnapped and released after a ransom was paid. This has been an ongoing problem in the area.

“Recently, even the kidnapping of some CUSTECH students, in which two students were killed, involved criminals taking them to a nearby forest known as Babanla, close to Patigi. The route they used passed through this area.”